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

Planting zone for 97820 — Canyon City, OR

ZIP code 97820 (Canyon City, Grant County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 97820 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 28

First frostSep 18

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Canyon City, 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 Canyon City, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 2

Growing season113 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station John Day, OR — 22 miles away, elevation 3,064 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 97820

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 97820 came on Apr 11 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

average
Apr 292026
Apr 11

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 6b in Oregon

613 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 6b. 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 Canyon City, OR.

Soil in Canyon City, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97820 is Thirstygulch — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Thirstygulch-Anatone-Webbgulch complex, 0 to 15 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 97820; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canyon City, OR

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights252nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days899base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation20.2 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: Seneca, OR (11 mi away); precipitation: Canyon City 12.6 Ssw, OR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

978735b

Seneca, OR · 10 mi

978656b

Mount Vernon, OR · 22 mi

Prairie City, OR · 33 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97820

What planting zone is ZIP code 97820?

ZIP code 97820 (Canyon City, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Canyon City, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97820 is May 28; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, John Day station.

When is the first frost in Canyon City, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97820 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 113 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97820?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97820 get?

About 20.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon City 12.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Canyon City, OR?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97820 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Thirstygulch at the center of ZIP 97820: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Canyon City, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97820 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canyon City, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97820 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97820 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97820 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.