Merlin, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Merlin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Merlin falls between April 23 and June 7, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 30 days later than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 32% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 61 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 90 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Medford, OR, 53 km away, the last frost here is 38 days later than there and the growing season is 37 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Merlin, OR
Merlin, OR frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Oct 30, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Merlin, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Sexton Summit, OR weather station, 10 km away (elevation 3,832 ft (1,168 m)).
Frost dates near Merlin
- Grants Pass Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Wolf Creek May 16 · Oct 30
- Wilderville Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Rogue River Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Glendale May 16 · Oct 30
- Murphy Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Selma May 1 · Oct 12
- Gold Hill Apr 8 · Oct 29
- Williams May 4 · Oct 13
- Kerby May 1 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Merlin, OR?
The median last spring frost in Merlin, OR is May 16. 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 Merlin, OR?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Merlin, OR?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Merlin, OR?
Merlin, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.