When to Plant in Oregon: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 428 Oregon ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 14 and the median first fall frost is Oct 28 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: Jun 9 – Jun 16; Zone 7 areas: May 16 – May 23; Zone 8 areas: Apr 15 – Apr 22; Zone 9 areas: Mar 25 – Apr 1.
Oregon spans USDA hardiness zones 5b–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 428 of its 428 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 14 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 9 – Jun 3) and the median first fall frost is Oct 28 (Sep 18 – Nov 30). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Oregon frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (87 ZIP codes) | Baker City Muni Airport, OR, Klamath Falls Intl Airport, OR, Summer Lake 1 S, OR | Jun 2middle 80%: May 10 – Jun 9 | Sep 18middle 80%: Sep 10 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 7 (53 ZIP codes) | Kent, OR, Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, OR, Milton Freewater, OR | May 9middle 80%: Apr 6 – May 27 | Oct 7middle 80%: Sep 27 – Oct 23 |
| Zone 8 (188 ZIP codes) | Eugene Mahlon Sweet Airport, OR, Salem Mcnary Fld, OR, Portland Kgw-Tv, OR | Apr 8middle 80%: Mar 14 – May 1 | Nov 1middle 80%: Oct 17 – Nov 22 |
| Zone 9 (97 ZIP codes) | Portland Kgw-Tv, OR, Oregon City, OR, Portland Wfo, OR | Mar 18middle 80%: Feb 19 – Apr 5 | Nov 20middle 80%: Nov 6 – Dec 10 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Oregon ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (1 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Brownlee Dam, ID, Ft Bidwell, CA, Goldendale, WA, Longview, WA, Tulelake, CA, Vancouver Pearson Airport, WA). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Oregon vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Oregon, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost Jun 2 · First frost Sep 18 | Zone 7 areasLast frost May 9 · First frost Oct 7 | Zone 8 areasLast frost Apr 8 · First frost Nov 1 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Mar 18 · First frost Nov 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 21 – May 5Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 24 | Mar 28 – Apr 11Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 30 | Feb 4 – Feb 18Harvest (est.) Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 21 – May 5Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 4 | Mar 28 – Apr 11Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 10 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 11 – May 10 | Feb 4 – Feb 18Harvest (est.) Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 21 – May 5 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 28 – May 19Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – May 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Mar 24 – Apr 24 | Feb 11 – Mar 4Harvest (est.) Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | May 5 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Aug 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 14 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 13 | Feb 18 – Mar 4Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 23 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | May 5 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 29 – Sep 16 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 23 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 23 | Feb 18 – Mar 4Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 5 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jul 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – Jun 3 | Feb 18 – Mar 4Harvest (est.) Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 5 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Aug 17 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 24 | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) May 20 – Jun 23 | Feb 18 – Mar 4Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – Jun 2 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 5 – May 19 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 12 – Jun 2 | Apr 18 – May 9 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Feb 25 – Mar 18 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 12 – Jun 2 | Apr 18 – May 9 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Feb 25 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | May 19 – May 26Harvest (est.) Aug 12 – Sep 13 | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 20 | Mar 4 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jun 29 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | May 9 – May 23 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | May 9 – May 23 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Aug 18 – Sep 14 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jul 25 – Aug 21 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 21 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jun 30 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Aug 25 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Aug 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 30 – Jul 1 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 10 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Aug 13 – Sep 14 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Aug 21 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 21 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 20 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 27 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 26 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 4 – Jun 5 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 5 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 4 – May 21 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 23Harvest (est.) Aug 28 – Sep 18 (first fall frost) | May 16 – May 30Harvest (est.) Aug 4 – Sep 7 | Apr 15 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Aug 7 | Mar 25 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 13 – Jul 17 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 9 – Jun 16Harvest (est.) Jul 21 – Jul 28 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Jul 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 3 | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) May 6 – May 13 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 16 – Jun 23Harvest (est.) Aug 20 – Sep 6 | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 16 – Jun 23Harvest (est.) Aug 25 – Sep 18 (first fall frost) | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Aug 1 – Aug 28 | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Jul 28 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jun 26 – Jul 10Harvest (est.) Aug 15 – Sep 18 | Jul 15 – Jul 29Harvest (est.) Sep 3 – Oct 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23Harvest (est.) Sep 28 – Nov 1 | Aug 28 – Sep 11Harvest (est.) Oct 17 – Nov 20 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jun 26 – Jul 10Harvest (est.) Sep 4 – Oct 8 | Jul 15 – Jul 29Harvest (est.) Sep 23 – Oct 27 | Aug 9 – Aug 23Harvest (est.) Oct 18 – Nov 21 | Aug 28 – Sep 11Harvest (est.) Nov 6 – Dec 10 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 10 – Jul 24Harvest (est.) Aug 29 – Oct 2 | Jul 29 – Aug 12Harvest (est.) Sep 17 – Oct 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6Harvest (est.) Oct 12 – Nov 15 | Sep 11 – Sep 25Harvest (est.) Oct 31 – Dec 4 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 24 – Aug 7Harvest (est.) Sep 22 – Oct 26 | Aug 12 – Aug 26Harvest (est.) Oct 11 – Nov 14 | Sep 6 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Nov 5 – Dec 9 | Sep 25 – Oct 9Harvest (est.) Nov 24 – Dec 28 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Jul 31 – Aug 21Harvest (est.) Sep 14 – Oct 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 9Harvest (est.) Oct 3 – Nov 8 | Sep 13 – Oct 4Harvest (est.) Oct 28 – Dec 3 | Oct 2 – Oct 23Harvest (est.) Nov 16 – Dec 22 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 7 – Aug 21Harvest (est.) Aug 27 – Sep 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 9Harvest (est.) Sep 15 – Oct 9 | Sep 20 – Oct 4Harvest (est.) Oct 10 – Nov 3 | Oct 9 – Oct 23Harvest (est.) Oct 29 – Nov 22 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 21 – Oct 2 | Sep 9 – Oct 21 | Oct 4 – Nov 15 | Oct 23 – Dec 4 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 4 – Oct 16 | Sep 23 – Nov 4 | Oct 18 – Nov 29 | Nov 6 – Dec 18 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Sep 4 – Oct 9Harvest (est.) May 12, 2027 – Jul 6, 2027 | Sep 23 – Oct 28Harvest (est.) May 31, 2027 – Jul 25, 2027 | Oct 18 – Nov 22Harvest (est.) Jun 25, 2027 – Aug 19, 2027 | Nov 6 – Dec 11Harvest (est.) Jul 14, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Oregon USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Oregon gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oregon?
Across the 428 Oregon ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 14, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 9 to Jun 3. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Oregon?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: Jun 9 – Jun 16; Zone 7 areas: May 16 – May 23; Zone 8 areas: Apr 15 – Apr 22; Zone 9 areas: Mar 25 – Apr 1.
What USDA zone is Oregon?
Oregon spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5b–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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