John Day, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMay 28median date
First fall frostSep 18median date
Growing season113 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How John Day compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in John Day falls between May 12 and June 15, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 2 and October 4.
- The median last frost is 42 days later than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 113-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 36 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 2 |
| 50% (median) | September 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 4 |
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 John Day, OR
John Day, OR frost dates — last frost May 28, first frost Sep 18, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 18Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jul 2
Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in John Day, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 21 | Apr 30 – Jun 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Basil | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 23 – Jun 4 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 30 – May 7 | Jun 11 – Jun 18 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 30 – May 7 | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 30 – May 7 | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 30 – May 7 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 |
| Beets | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 14 – Jun 11 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 4 – Oct 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 John Day, OR weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,064 ft (934 m)).
Frost dates near John Day
- Canyon City May 28 · Sep 18
- Mount Vernon May 28 · Sep 18
- Prairie City frost any month
- Seneca frost any month
- Long Creek Jun 5 · Sep 14
- Bates frost any month
- Dayville May 4 · Oct 6
- Monument May 9 · Sep 27
- Unity frost any month
- Kimberly May 9 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in John Day, OR?
The median last spring frost in John Day, OR is May 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in John Day, OR?
The median first fall frost is September 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 2.
How long is the growing season in John Day, OR?
About 113 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is John Day, OR?
John Day, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.