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

Planting zone for 97540 — Talent, OR

ZIP code 97540 (Talent, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 97540 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 frostMay 6

First frostOct 8

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 Talent, 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 Talent, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Ashland, OR — 6 miles away, elevation 1,729 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 97540

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 97540 came on Feb 9 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Feb 9

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 Talent, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97540 is Caris — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Caris-Offenbacher gravelly loams, 50 to 80 percent north 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 97540; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Talent, OR

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, December

Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights115nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,333base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 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)

Precipitation24.3 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: Ashland, OR (6 mi away); precipitation: Medford 5.7 S, OR (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Jacksonville, OR · 16 mi

975208a

Ashland, OR · 16 mi

975028b

Central Point, OR · 16 mi

960448a

Hornbrook, CA · 19 mi

975258b

Gold Hill, OR · 21 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97540

What planting zone is ZIP code 97540?

ZIP code 97540 (Talent, 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 Talent, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97540 is May 6; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ashland station.

When is the first frost in Talent, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97540 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97540?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97540 get?

About 24.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medford 5.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Talent, OR?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97540 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Caris at the center of ZIP 97540: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Talent, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97540 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Talent, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97540 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).