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

Planting zone for 97541 — Trail, OR

ZIP code 97541 (Trail, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 97541 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 frostApr 29

First frostOct 17

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Trail, 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 Trail, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Lost Creek Dam, OR — 8 miles away, elevation 1,581 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 97541

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 97541 came on Feb 5 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Feb 5

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 Trail, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97541 is Straight — 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: Straight-Shippa extremely gravelly loams, 35 to 60 percent south 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 97541; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Trail, OR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, August

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,697base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lost Creek Dam, OR (8 mi away); precipitation: Lost Creek Dam, OR (8 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.

Shady Cove, OR · 14 mi

975038b

White City, OR · 15 mi

975228a

Butte Falls, OR · 19 mi

974108b

Azalea, OR · 19 mi

974298b

Days Creek, OR · 21 mi

975248a

Eagle Point, OR · 22 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97541

What planting zone is ZIP code 97541?

ZIP code 97541 (Trail, 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 Trail, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97541 is April 29; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lost Creek Dam station.

When is the first frost in Trail, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97541 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97541?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97541 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lost Creek Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Trail, OR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in August, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97541 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Straight at the center of ZIP 97541: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Trail, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97541 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Trail, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97541 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97541 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97541 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.