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

Planting zone for 97502 — Central Point, OR

ZIP code 97502 (Central Point, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 97502 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 frostApr 8
First frostOct 29
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 Central Point, 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 Central Point, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Medford Rogue Vly Airport, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 97502

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 97502 came on Feb 23 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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).

Native plants for zone 8b in Oregon

661 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 43

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FBrewer spruce100 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Shrubs 132

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 305

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 166

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 2

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Central Point, OR.

Soil in Central Point, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97502 is Kubli — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Kubli loam, 0 to 3 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 97502; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Central Point, OR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,326base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 33 °F 48°33° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 51 °F 84°51° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 33 °F 46°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.72 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 2.7❄1 JanFebruary: 1.96 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 2.0❄1 FebMarch: 1.81 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.8 MarApril: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 2.61 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.6 NovDecember: 3.53 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 3.5❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Medford Rogue Vly Airport, OR (4 mi away); precipitation: Medford Rogue Vly Airport, 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.

975258b
Gold Hill, OR · 6 mi
975018b
Medford, OR · 9 mi
975048b
Medford, OR · 9 mi
975358b
Phoenix, OR · 12 mi
975038b
White City, OR · 14 mi
975398a
Shady Cove, OR · 14 mi
975378b
Rogue River, OR · 14 mi
975248a
Eagle Point, OR · 16 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97502

What planting zone is ZIP code 97502?

ZIP code 97502 (Central Point, 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 Central Point, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97502 is April 8; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medford Rogue Vly Airport station.

When is the first frost in Central Point, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97502 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97502?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97502 get?

About 18.4 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medford Rogue Vly Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Central Point, OR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97502 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kubli at the center of ZIP 97502: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Central Point, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97502 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Central Point, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97502 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).