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

Planting zone for 97856 — Long Creek, OR

ZIP code 97856 (Long Creek, Grant County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 97856 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 frostJun 5
First frostSep 14
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 Long Creek, 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 Long Creek, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Aug 30
Growing season99 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Long Creek, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 3,740 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 97856

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29
LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 97856 came on Mar 12 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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.

Trees 40

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FBrewer spruce100 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Shrubs 114

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 287

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 161

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 2

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Long Creek, OR.

Soil in Long Creek, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97856 is Devnot — stony clay loam, well drained.

TextureStony clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Devnot-Coelho-Elderflat complex, 2 to 20 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 97856; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Long Creek, OR

Summer high85 °Faverage high, August
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation17.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall33 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 42 °F 73°42° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 47 °F 84°47° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 46 °F 85°46° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 40 °F 76°40° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 33 °F 62°33° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 1.60 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 1.6❄7 JanFebruary: 1.35 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 1.4❄6 FebMarch: 1.70 in precipitation, 5.8 in snowfall 1.7❄6 MarApril: 1.76 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.8❄2 AprMay: 2.34 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.3 MayJune: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 JulAugust: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 AugSeptember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 1.60 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.6 OctNovember: 1.65 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 1.6❄4 NovDecember: 1.83 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 1.8❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Long Creek, OR (4 mi away); precipitation: Long Creek, OR (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

978647a
Monument, OR · 17 mi
978656b
Mount Vernon, OR · 22 mi
978487a
Kimberly, OR · 23 mi
978806b
Ukiah, OR · 24 mi
978176b
Bates, OR · 25 mi
978456b
John Day, OR · 27 mi
978257a
Dayville, OR · 33 mi
978696b
Prairie City, OR · 35 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97856

What planting zone is ZIP code 97856?

ZIP code 97856 (Long Creek, 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 Long Creek, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97856 is June 5; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Creek station.

When is the first frost in Long Creek, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97856 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 99 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97856?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 10 – Apr 24 and set transplants outside around Jun 12 – Jun 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97856 get?

About 17.2 inches of precipitation a year and 33 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Long Creek, OR?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in August, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97856 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Devnot at the center of ZIP 97856: stony clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Long Creek, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97856 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Long Creek, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97856 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).