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

Planting zone for 97731 — Chemult, OR

ZIP code 97731 (Chemult, Klamath County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 97731 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 1

First frostSep 23

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Chemult, 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 Chemult, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Aug 31

Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Lemolo Lake 3 Nnw, OR — 26 miles away, elevation 4,078 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 97731

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 97731 came on Mar 30 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Mar 30

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.

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 Chemult, OR.

Soil in Chemult, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97731 is Collier — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Collier-Maklak complex, cold, 0 to 2 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 97731; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chemult, OR

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights258nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days989base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation26.7 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: Chemult, OR (10 mi away); precipitation: Chemult Alternate, OR (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

976046b

Crater Lake, OR · 19 mi

977336b

Crescent, OR · 23 mi

976266b

Fort Klamath, OR · 26 mi

977376a

Gilchrist, OR · 29 mi

974478b

Idleyld Park, OR · 35 mi

976246a

Chiloquin, OR · 37 mi

975368a

Prospect, OR · 39 mi

975228a

Butte Falls, OR · 43 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97731

What planting zone is ZIP code 97731?

ZIP code 97731 (Chemult, 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 Chemult, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97731 is June 1; after June 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemolo Lake 3 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Chemult, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97731 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97731?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97731 get?

About 26.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chemult Alternate station).

How hot do summers get in Chemult, OR?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97731 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Collier at the center of ZIP 97731: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chemult, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97731 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chemult, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97731 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97731 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97731 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.