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

Planting zone for 97712 — Brothers, OR

ZIP code 97712 (Brothers, Deschutes County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 2 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 97712 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostJun 2
First frostSep 17
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brothers, 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 Brothers, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Aug 30
Growing season104 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Barnes Stn, OR — 15 miles away, elevation 3,970 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 97712

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
LettuceSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 2) and first fall frost (Sep 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 97712 came on Apr 2 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 6a in Oregon

607 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 39

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 113

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 284

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 160

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 Brothers, OR.

Soil in Brothers, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97712 is Dester — gravelly loamy sand, well drained.

TextureGravelly loamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dester sandy loam, 0 to 8 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 97712; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brothers, OR

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, December
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights229nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,276base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall31 inper year; 39 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 32 °F 63°32° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 38 °F 71°38° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 45 °F 82°45° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 43 °F 81°43° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 36 °F 73°36° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 28 °F 60°28° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 21 °F 46°21° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.52 in precipitation, 5.9 in snowfall 1.5❄6 JanFebruary: 1.04 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 1.0❄6 FebMarch: 1.06 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.1❄2 MarApril: 1.10 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 1.1❄1 AprMay: 1.44 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.4 MayJune: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 0.91 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.9❄1 OctNovember: 1.31 in precipitation, 4.5 in snowfall 1.3❄5 NovDecember: 1.78 in precipitation, 9.6 in snowfall 1.8❄10 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Brothers, OR (10 mi away); precipitation: Barnes Stn, OR (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

977546b
Prineville, OR · 25 mi
977526a
Post, OR · 26 mi
976416a
Christmas Valley, OR · 34 mi
977016b
Bend, OR · 35 mi
977586a
Riley, OR · 39 mi
977516a
Paulina, OR · 40 mi
977356a
Fort Rock, OR · 40 mi
977536b
Powell Butte, OR · 41 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97712

What planting zone is ZIP code 97712?

ZIP code 97712 (Brothers, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Brothers, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97712 is June 2; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barnes Stn station.

When is the first frost in Brothers, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97712 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 104 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97712?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 7 – Apr 21 and set transplants outside around Jun 9 – Jun 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97712 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barnes Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Brothers, OR?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97712 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dester at the center of ZIP 97712: gravelly loamy sand, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Brothers, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97712 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brothers, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97712 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).