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

Planting zone for 97527 — Grants Pass, OR

ZIP code 97527 (Grants Pass, Josephine 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 28.

Where ZIP 97527 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 28
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 Grants Pass, 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 Grants Pass, 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 plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Grants Pass, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 932 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 97527

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 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 97527 came on Feb 27 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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 Grants Pass, OR.

Soil in Grants Pass, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97527 is Siskiyou — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Siskiyou gravelly sandy loam, 35 to 60 percent south slopes, low precip.

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 97527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grants Pass, OR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,106base 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)
Precipitation31.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 35 °F 48°35° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 46 °F 74°46° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 55 °F 91°55° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 48 °F 84°48° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 39 °F 54°39° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 35 °F 46°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 5.08 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 5.1❄1 JanFebruary: 3.97 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 FebMarch: 3.65 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.6 MarApril: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 AprMay: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 OctNovember: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 6.55 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 6.5 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

975288b
Grants Pass, OR · 5 mi
975438b
Wilderville, OR · 9 mi
975268b
Grants Pass, OR · 11 mi
975448b
Williams, OR · 13 mi
975388b
Selma, OR · 15 mi
975328b
Merlin, OR · 17 mi
975258b
Gold Hill, OR · 17 mi
975378b
Rogue River, OR · 17 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Grants Pass → · Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97527

What planting zone is ZIP code 97527?

ZIP code 97527 (Grants Pass, 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 Grants Pass, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97527 is April 8; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants Pass station.

When is the first frost in Grants Pass, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97527 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97527?

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 97527 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Grants Pass, OR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Siskiyou at the center of ZIP 97527: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Grants Pass, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97527 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grants Pass, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97527 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).