Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 97504 — Medford, OR

ZIP code 97504 (Medford, 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 97504 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 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Medford, 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 Medford, 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 — 6 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 97504

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 97504 came on Feb 13 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

average
Feb 272026
Feb 13

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.

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 Medford, OR.

Soil in Medford, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97504 is Carney — cobbly clay, moderately well drained.

TextureCobbly clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Carney cobbly clay, 20 to 35 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 97504; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Medford, 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 05 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation22.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Medford Rogue Vly Airport, OR (6 mi away); precipitation: Medford 3.5 Ssw, OR (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Central Point, OR · 9 mi

975408a

Talent, OR · 9 mi

975248a

Eagle Point, OR · 12 mi

975258b

Gold Hill, OR · 15 mi

975398a

Shady Cove, OR · 17 mi

975208a

Ashland, OR · 18 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Medford → · Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97504

What planting zone is ZIP code 97504?

ZIP code 97504 (Medford, 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 Medford, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97504 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 Medford, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97504 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97504?

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 97504 get?

About 22.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medford 3.5 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Medford, 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 97504 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carney at the center of ZIP 97504: cobbly clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Medford, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97504 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Medford, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97504 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97504 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97504 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.