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

Planting zone for 97801 — Pendleton, OR

ZIP code 97801 (Pendleton, Umatilla County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 97801 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 frostApr 22
First frostOct 9
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Pendleton Dwtn, OR — within 1 mile, elevation 1,040 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 97801

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 97801 came on Mar 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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.

Trees 40

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 119

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 290

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 164

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 Pendleton, OR.

Soil in Pendleton, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97801 is Freewater — gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Freewater gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 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 97801; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pendleton, OR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,825base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 39 °F 65°39° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 56 °F 90°56° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 54 °F 90°54° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 47 °F 80°47° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 38 °F 67°38° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.42 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 1.30 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 AprMay: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 0.97 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pendleton Dwtn, OR (within 1 mile); precipitation: Pendleton 1.0 Wnw, OR (within 1 mile). 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.

978357a
Helix, OR · 16 mi
978686b
Pilot Rock, OR · 18 mi
978757a
Stanfield, OR · 19 mi
978137a
Athena, OR · 19 mi
978267a
Echo, OR · 20 mi
978107a
Adams, OR · 21 mi
978596b
Meacham, OR · 21 mi
978387b
Hermiston, OR · 26 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97801

What planting zone is ZIP code 97801?

ZIP code 97801 (Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97801 is April 22; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pendleton Dwtn station.

When is the first frost in Pendleton, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97801 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97801?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97801 get?

About 12.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pendleton 1.0 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Pendleton, OR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97801 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Freewater at the center of ZIP 97801: gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Pendleton, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97801 came on Mar 6 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pendleton, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97801 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).