Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 97494 — Wilbur, OR

ZIP code 97494 (Wilbur, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 97494 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 31
First frostNov 5
2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wilbur, OR…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Wilbur, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season215 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Winchester, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 459 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 97494

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 5) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 97494 came on Feb 17 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Wilbur, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97494 is Climax — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Climax clay, 12 to 30 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 97494; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wilbur, OR

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights38nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,741base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 55 °F 86°55° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 35 °F 49°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JanFebruary: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 5.26 in precipitation 5.3 NovDecember: 6.81 in precipitation 6.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winchester, OR (4 mi away); precipitation: Winchester, OR (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

974958b
Winchester, OR · 3 mi
974708b
Roseburg, OR · 7 mi
974798b
Sutherlin, OR · 8 mi
974869a
Umpqua, OR · 10 mi
974719a
Roseburg, OR · 11 mi
974628b
Oakland, OR · 12 mi
974438b
Glide, OR · 17 mi
974998b
Yoncalla, OR · 19 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97494

What planting zone is ZIP code 97494?

ZIP code 97494 (Wilbur, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Wilbur, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97494 is March 31; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester station.

When is the first frost in Wilbur, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97494 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 215 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97494?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97494 get?

About 36.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester station).

How hot do summers get in Wilbur, OR?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97494 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Climax at the center of ZIP 97494: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Wilbur, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97494 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wilbur, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97494 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).