Southern Oregon’s growing zones range from the chilly 6a zone in Klamath County to the much milder 9a zone close to the Oregon coast.
Southern Oregon is generally considered Jackson, Douglas, Josephine, and Klamath counties. The growing zones here, also called planting zones or hardiness zones, help gardeners and growers determine which plants are best suited for their location.
Let’s take a deeper look at the growing zones in southern Oregon and what they mean.
Jackson County
The western third of Jackson County is in growing zone 8b, where winter temperatures get only as low as 15 to 20 degrees. The growing season is a solid 180-190 days.
The middle third of Jackson is generally in 8a, where temperatures can dip to a brisk 10 to 15 degrees in winter. The growing season here is a bit shorter – about 140 days on average.
The western edge of Jackson County is in the slightly cooler zone 7b along the county’s border with neighboring Klamath. Temps can dip to 5 to 10 degrees here, and the growing season is just 125 days on average.
Douglas County
Temperatures get warmer in Oregon the closer you get to the coast, so it’s not surprising that coastal Douglas County sits in growing zone 9a. This zone extends all the way from the coast to about Interstate 5 near Roseburg and Myrtle Creek. Temperatures here reach an average low of 20-25 degrees in the winter, and the growing season is a gardener-friendly 250 to 265 days a year.
East of I5, you find yourself in growing zone 8b, with lows of 15 to 20 degrees, and then 8a, with lows of 10-15 degrees.
The eastern edge of Douglas County is in growing zone 7b (5-10 degree average lows), and 7a (0-5 degrees).
Josephine County
While it doesn’t enjoy waterfront views, Josephine County shares a very similar climate with Douglas. The western third is in growing zone 9a, while the remainder is in 8b.
The growing season in Josephine County is roughly 185-250 days a year.
Klamath County
Klamath is an outlier among the four counties that make up southern Oregon because it is somewhat cooler. It is a mix of growing zone 7a, along its western edge, and zones 6b and 6a toward the middle of the county. In zone 6, winter temperatures can drop to -10 degrees.
The growing season in cooler central Klamath County is a meager 85-90 days a year.
More lawn care resources for southern Oregon
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 Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon Native Plants for Landscaping
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 southern Oregon 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: Ian Poellet | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
