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

Planting zone for 97520 — Ashland, OR

ZIP code 97520 (Ashland, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 8 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 97520 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostJun 8

First frostSep 24

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ashland, 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 Ashland, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJune 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Howard Prairie Dam, OR — 8 miles away, elevation 4,567 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 97520

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

LettuceSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 22 – Jul 6

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 8) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 97520 came on Mar 10 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 10

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 8a in Oregon

654 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Ashland, OR.

Soil in Ashland, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97520 is McMullin — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: McMullin-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 60 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 97520; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ashland, OR

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23 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: Howard Prairie Dam, OR (8 mi away); precipitation: Green Springs Pwr Plt, OR (4 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.

Hornbrook, CA · 18 mi

975018b

Medford, OR · 21 mi

975248a

Eagle Point, OR · 22 mi

975028b

Central Point, OR · 28 mi

960978a

Yreka, CA · 30 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97520

What planting zone is ZIP code 97520?

ZIP code 97520 (Ashland, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Ashland, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97520 is June 8; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howard Prairie Dam station.

When is the first frost in Ashland, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97520 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97520?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 13 – Apr 27 and set transplants outside around Jun 15 – Jun 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97520 get?

About 23 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Green Springs Pwr Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Ashland, OR?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97520 have?

The USDA soil survey maps McMullin at the center of ZIP 97520: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ashland, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97520 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ashland, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97520 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).