Lowell, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 7median date
First fall frostNov 27median date
Growing season265 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Lowell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lowell falls between February 4 and April 2, a 57-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 40 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 265-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Springfield, OR, 22 km away, the last frost here is 35 days earlier than there and the growing season is 70 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 27 |
| 90% (late) | December 21 |
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 Lowell, OR
Lowell, OR frost dates — last frost Mar 7, first frost Nov 27, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 13 to Dec 27Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lowell, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 7 – Mar 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Okra | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Basil | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 31 – Mar 14 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 13 – Dec 18 |
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 Lookout Pt Dam, OR weather station, 2 km away (elevation 712 ft (217 m)).
Frost dates near Lowell
- Dexter Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Fall Creek Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Pleasant Hill Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Creswell Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Springfield Apr 11 · Oct 23
- Dorena Apr 16 · Oct 28
- Walterville Apr 3 · Nov 11
- Cottage Grove Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Eugene Apr 11 · Oct 23
- Westfir Apr 24 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lowell, OR?
The median last spring frost in Lowell, OR is March 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lowell, OR?
The median first fall frost is November 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Lowell, OR?
About 265 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lowell, OR?
Lowell, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.