Most of the Willamette Valley is in USDA growing zone 8b, where temperatures rarely dip below 15 degrees and the growing season is a gardener-friendly 200-plus days a year, on average.
For reference, the Willamette Valley is a low-lying trough that begins at the Columbia River south of Portland and meanders down almost to Eugene. It consists of parts of eight counties – Douglas, Lane, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, and Washington – that sit between the Coast Range mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east.
So let’s take a deeper look at the growing zones in the Willamette Valley and what they mean.
Characteristics of growing zone 8
Most of the Willamette Valley is in zone 8b, where the lowest average temperatures are between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Small portions of the valley are in 8a, but the differences between 8b and 8a are mostly insignificant to the average gardener or homeowner. Zone 8a is just 5 degrees colder on average than 8b, and the length of the growing season is virtually identical.
The climate here is moderate and this region is cooler and experiences more rainfall. The average first frost date is Oct. 27. April 20 is the average last frost date. The Willamette Valley area is frost-free between mid-May and the end of September.
So what does this mean if you’re a gardener? It means you enjoy excellent conditions for growing plants, shrubs, and grass – warm, sunny weather an average of more than 200 days a year, and as much as 250 days some years.
More lawn care resources for the Willamette Valley
Knowing what growing zone you live in is the first step to successful gardening and landscaping because it helps you understand what plants thrive in your area. Then, you have to know how to care for them.
Here are some additional resources to help.
“When to Plant Grass Seed in Oregon”
“The Best Grass Seed for the Willamette Valley”
“Willamette Valley Native Plants for Landscaping”
“Fire-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Portland”
Trust the pros
Achieving the yard you want takes a great deal of knowledge and effort. Perhaps you’re not confident enough in your skills to get the results you want, or maybe you just don’t want to expend the effort.
Then call Lawn Love. Our pros understand Oregon’s Willamette Valley and know how to get the most out of your lawn and landscaping, and they’re the most respected and dependable in the industry. Contact us for a free quote.
Main Image Credit: Rick Obst | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
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