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

Planting zone for 97818 — Boardman, OR

ZIP code 97818 (Boardman, Morrow County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 97818 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 21
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Boardman, 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 Boardman, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Boardman, OR — 7 miles away, elevation 279 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 97818

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 97818 came on Mar 5 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

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 7b in Oregon

627 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 40

Shrubs 120

Wildflowers & perennials 292

Grasses 164

Vines 2

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 Boardman, OR.

Soil in Boardman, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97818 is Koehler — loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Koehler loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 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 97818; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boardman, OR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,212base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation8.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall4 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 29 °F 42°29° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 48 °F 75°48° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 55 °F 82°55° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 60 °F 91°60° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 59 °F 90°59° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 29 °F 42°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.28 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 1.3❄1 JanFebruary: 0.92 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 0.9❄1 FebMarch: 0.70 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.7 MarApril: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.74 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.7 OctNovember: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 1.38 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 1.4❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boardman, OR (7 mi away); precipitation: Boardman, OR (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97818

What planting zone is ZIP code 97818?

ZIP code 97818 (Boardman, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Boardman, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97818 is April 14; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boardman station.

When is the first frost in Boardman, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97818 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97818?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97818 get?

About 8.6 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boardman station).

How hot do summers get in Boardman, OR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97818 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Koehler at the center of ZIP 97818: loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Boardman, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97818 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boardman, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97818 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97818 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97818 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.