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

Planting zone for 97824 — Cove, OR

ZIP code 97824 (Cove, Union County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 97824 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 11

First frostSep 26

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cove, 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 Cove, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Union, OR — 12 miles away, elevation 2,776 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 97824

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 97824 came on Apr 6 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4).

average
May 42026
Apr 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 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 Cove, OR.

Soil in Cove, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97824 is Lackeyshole — 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 groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lackeyshole-Troutmeadows complex, 15 to 30 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 97824; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cove, OR

Summer high87 °Faverage high, August

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,086base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.4 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: Union, OR (12 mi away); precipitation: Cove 1 E, OR (4 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.

Summerville, OR · 18 mi

978276b

Elgin, OR · 19 mi

978506b

La Grande, OR · 20 mi

978676b

North Powder, OR · 22 mi

978856b

Wallowa, OR · 24 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97824

What planting zone is ZIP code 97824?

ZIP code 97824 (Cove, 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 Cove, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97824 is May 11; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Union station.

When is the first frost in Cove, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97824 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97824?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97824 get?

About 24.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cove 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Cove, OR?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in August, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97824 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lackeyshole at the center of ZIP 97824: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cove, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97824 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cove, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97824 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).