Madras, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMay 19median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season138 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Madras compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madras falls between May 2 and June 7, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 33 days later than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 138-day growing season is longer than 17% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 33 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bend, OR, 66 km away, the last frost here is 18 days earlier than there and the growing season is 32 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Madras, OR
Madras, OR frost dates — last frost May 19, first frost Oct 4, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madras, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 21 – May 26 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Basil | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Madras 2 N, OR weather station, 3 km away (elevation 2,444 ft (745 m)).
Frost dates near Madras
- Warm Springs May 5 · Oct 7
- Culver May 19 · Oct 4
- Terrebonne Jun 9 · Sep 14
- Ashwood May 22 · Oct 3
- Antelope May 22 · Oct 3
- Redmond Jun 9 · Sep 14
- Prineville Jun 1 · Sep 22
- Camp Sherman frost any month
- Powell Butte Jun 9 · Sep 14
- Sisters frost any month
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madras, OR?
The median last spring frost in Madras, OR is May 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madras, OR?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Madras, OR?
About 138 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madras, OR?
Madras, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.