Pendleton, OR frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Pendleton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pendleton falls between April 3 and May 8, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kennewick, WA, 66 km away, the last frost here is 25 days later than there and the growing season is 46 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Pendleton, OR
Pendleton, OR frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 9, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pendleton, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Pendleton Dwtn, OR weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,040 ft (317 m)).
Frost dates near Pendleton
- Adams May 12 · Sep 27
- Helix May 12 · Sep 27
- Pilot Rock May 7 · Oct 4
- Athena Mar 25 · Oct 29
- Meacham frost any month
- Echo Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Weston Mar 25 · Oct 29
- Stanfield Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Hermiston Apr 27 · Oct 7
- Milton Freewater Mar 25 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pendleton, OR?
The median last spring frost in Pendleton, OR is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pendleton, OR?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Pendleton, OR?
About 170 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pendleton, OR?
Pendleton, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.