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

Planting zone for 97741 — Madras, OR

ZIP code 97741 (Madras, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 97741 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 19

First frostOct 4

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Madras, 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 Madras, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Madras 2 N, OR — 6 miles away, elevation 2,444 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 97741

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16

BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 97741 came on Mar 10 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 10

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 7a in Oregon

624 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Madras, OR.

Soil in Madras, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97741 is Era — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Era soils, 8 to 40 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 97741; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Madras, OR

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, December

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,650base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation9.4 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: Madras, OR (3 mi away); precipitation: Madras, OR (3 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.

Warm Springs, OR · 19 mi

977606b

Terrebonne, OR · 21 mi

Camp Sherman, OR · 31 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97741

What planting zone is ZIP code 97741?

ZIP code 97741 (Madras, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Madras, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97741 is May 19; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madras 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Madras, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97741 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97741?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97741 get?

About 9.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madras station).

How hot do summers get in Madras, OR?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97741 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Era at the center of ZIP 97741: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Madras, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97741 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Madras, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97741 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97741 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97741 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.