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

Planting zone for 97544 — Williams, OR

ZIP code 97544 (Williams, Josephine County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 97544 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 frostMay 4
First frostOct 13
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 Williams, 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 Williams, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Ruch, OR — 13 miles away, elevation 1,549 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 97544

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 97544 came on Feb 27 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

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 Williams, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97544 is Takilma — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Takilma very cobbly loam.

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 97544; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williams, OR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,844base 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)
Precipitation32.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year; 4 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 36 °F 65°36° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 42 °F 75°42° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 52 °F 92°52° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 51 °F 91°51° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 45 °F 85°45° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 38 °F 72°38° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 5.76 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 5.8❄3 JanFebruary: 3.93 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 3.9❄2 FebMarch: 3.69 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.7❄1 MarApril: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 AprMay: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 OctNovember: 4.54 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.5 NovDecember: 6.81 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 6.8❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ruch, OR (13 mi away); precipitation: Williams 1 Nw, OR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

975308a
Jacksonville, OR · 11 mi
975278b
Grants Pass, OR · 13 mi
975288b
Grants Pass, OR · 16 mi
975318b
Kerby, OR · 18 mi
975438b
Wilderville, OR · 18 mi
975238b
Cave Junction, OR · 19 mi
960868b
Seiad Valley, CA · 20 mi
975258b
Gold Hill, OR · 20 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97544

What planting zone is ZIP code 97544?

ZIP code 97544 (Williams, 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 Williams, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97544 is May 4; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ruch station.

When is the first frost in Williams, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97544 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97544?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97544 get?

About 32.2 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williams 1 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Williams, OR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97544 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Takilma at the center of ZIP 97544: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Williams, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97544 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Williams, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97544 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).