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

Planting zone for 97837 — Hereford, OR

ZIP code 97837 (Hereford, Baker County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 15.

Where ZIP 97837 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 25

First frostSep 15

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hereford, 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 Hereford, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

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

First fall frostSeptember 15median — 10% chance by Sep 2

Growing season111 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Baker City Municipal Airport, OR — 25 miles away, elevation 3,360 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 97837

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 21 – Aug 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 1 – Oct 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 15) 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 97837 came on Apr 3 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Apr 3

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 6a in Oregon

607 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Hereford, OR.

Soil in Hereford, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97837 is Hudspeth — 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 groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hudspeth-Morningstar complex, 35 to 60 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 97837; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hereford, OR

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights245nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,229base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23.3 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: Austin 3 S, OR (22 mi away); precipitation: Tipton, OR (20 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.

978846a

Unity, OR · 9 mi

978196b

Bridgeport, OR · 15 mi

979086a

Ironside, OR · 20 mi

978146b

Baker City, OR · 24 mi

Prairie City, OR · 29 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97837

What planting zone is ZIP code 97837?

ZIP code 97837 (Hereford, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Hereford, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97837 is May 25; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Baker City Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Hereford, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97837 is September 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 111 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97837?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97837 get?

About 23.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tipton station).

How hot do summers get in Hereford, OR?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97837 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hudspeth at the center of ZIP 97837: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hereford, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97837 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hereford, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97837 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).