Colton, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 16median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season248 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Colton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Colton falls between February 24 and April 12, a 47-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 9.
- The median last frost is 31 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 248-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 42 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gresham, OR, 38 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 24 |
| 50% (median) | March 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 9 |
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 Colton, OR
Colton, OR frost dates — last frost Mar 16, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Colton, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 16 – Mar 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Basil | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 23 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
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 Molalla 7ne, OR weather station, 7 km away (elevation 646 ft (197 m)).
Frost dates near Colton
- Mulino Mar 16 · Nov 19
- Beavercreek Mar 16 · Nov 19
- Molalla Mar 16 · Nov 19
- Estacada Mar 27 · Nov 14
- Saint Benedict Apr 27 · Nov 4
- Canby Mar 18 · Nov 13
- Oregon City Mar 18 · Nov 18
- Eagle Creek Mar 27 · Nov 14
- Scotts Mills Apr 27 · Nov 4
- Gladstone Mar 18 · Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Colton, OR?
The median last spring frost in Colton, OR is March 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Colton, OR?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Colton, OR?
About 248 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Colton, OR?
Colton, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.