Brightwood, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season236 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Brightwood compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Brightwood falls between February 26 and April 20, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 236-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 32 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gresham, OR, 36 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Brightwood, OR
Brightwood, OR frost dates — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 18, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Brightwood, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Headworks Portland Wtr B, OR weather station, 15 km away (elevation 748 ft (228 m)).
Frost dates near Brightwood
- Welches May 27 · Oct 9
- Rhododendron May 27 · Oct 9
- Sandy Mar 27 · Nov 18
- Government Camp May 27 · Oct 9
- Bridal Veil Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Corbett Mar 27 · Nov 18
- Eagle Creek Mar 27 · Nov 14
- Estacada Mar 27 · Nov 14
- Boring Mar 16 · Nov 20
- Troutdale Mar 26 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Brightwood, OR?
The median last spring frost in Brightwood, OR is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Brightwood, OR?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Brightwood, OR?
About 236 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Brightwood, OR?
Brightwood, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.