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

Planting zone for 97708 — Bend, OR

ZIP code 97708 (Bend, Deschutes County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost September 20.

Where ZIP 97708 is

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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostJun 6

First frostSep 20

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bend, 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 Bend, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsJune 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 20median — 10% chance by Sep 3

Growing season105 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 11 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Bend, OR — within 1 mile, elevation 3,662 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 97708

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 16 – May 30

LettuceSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 20 – Jul 4

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 26 – Aug 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 6 – Oct 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 6) and first fall frost (Sep 20) 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 97708 came on Mar 9 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 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).

Native plants for zone 6b in Oregon

613 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Bend, OR.

Soil in Bend, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97708 is Wanoga — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wanoga sandy loam, 0 to 15 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 97708; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bend, OR

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, December

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,757base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bend, OR (within 1 mile); precipitation: Bend, OR (within 1 mile). 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.

Powell Butte, OR · 19 mi

977606b

Terrebonne, OR · 23 mi

977396b

La Pine, OR · 28 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Bend → · Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97708

What planting zone is ZIP code 97708?

ZIP code 97708 (Bend, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Bend, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97708 is June 6; after June 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bend station.

When is the first frost in Bend, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97708 is September 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 105 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97708?

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

How much rain and snow does 97708 get?

About 10.6 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bend station).

How hot do summers get in Bend, OR?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97708 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wanoga at the center of ZIP 97708: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bend, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97708 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bend, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97708 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).