Mill City, OR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 9median date
First fall frostDec 3median date
Growing season269 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Mill City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mill City falls between February 2 and April 8, a 65-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and January 4.
- The median last frost is 38 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 269-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier 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 46 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Salem, OR, 47 km away, the last frost here is 25 days earlier than there and the growing season is 57 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | December 3 |
| 90% (late) | January 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 Mill City, OR
Mill City, OR frost dates — last frost Mar 9, first frost Dec 3, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 12
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Plant for fall: Nov 19 to Dec 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mill City, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 9 – Mar 16 | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Kale | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Okra | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Basil | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 16 | Oct 22 – Nov 12 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 19 – Dec 24 |
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 Detroit Dam, OR weather station, 18 km away (elevation 1,220 ft (372 m)).
Frost dates near Mill City
- Gates Mar 9 · Dec 3
- Lyons Apr 30 · Oct 22
- Mehama Apr 30 · Oct 22
- Stayton Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Scio Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Saint Benedict Apr 27 · Nov 4
- Detroit Mar 9 · Dec 3
- Sublimity Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Scotts Mills Apr 27 · Nov 4
- Aumsville Mar 29 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mill City, OR?
The median last spring frost in Mill City, OR is March 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mill City, OR?
The median first fall frost is December 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Mill City, OR?
About 269 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mill City, OR?
Mill City, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.