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

Planting zone for 97813 — Athena, OR

ZIP code 97813 (Athena, Umatilla County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 97813 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 frostMar 25

First frostOct 29

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 Athena, 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 Athena, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Milton Freewater, OR — 9 miles away, elevation 971 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 97813

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 97813 came on Mar 6 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
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.

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 Athena, OR.

Soil in Athena, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97813 is Walla Walla — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Walla Walla silt loam, 12 to 25 percent south 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 97813; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Athena, OR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,513base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 44 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Milton Freewater, OR (9 mi away); precipitation: Milton Freewater, OR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

978627a

Milton Freewater, OR · 11 mi

College Place, WA · 15 mi

993607a

Touchet, WA · 18 mi

978017a

Pendleton, OR · 19 mi

993627a

Walla Walla, WA · 20 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97813

What planting zone is ZIP code 97813?

ZIP code 97813 (Athena, 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 Athena, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97813 is March 25; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milton Freewater station.

When is the first frost in Athena, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97813 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97813?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97813 get?

About 16.1 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milton Freewater station).

How hot do summers get in Athena, OR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97813 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Walla Walla at the center of ZIP 97813: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Athena, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97813 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Athena, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97813 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97813 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97813 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.