Frost dates for 97305 — Salem, OR
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season227 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between March 1 and April 19, a 49-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 19 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 227-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, OR, 61 km away, the last frost here is 31 days later than there and the growing season is 52 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Salem, OR
Frost dates for 97305 — Salem, OR — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 10, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, OR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Silverton, OR weather station, 11 km away (elevation 407 ft (124 m)).
ZIP codes in Salem: 97301 97302 97303 97304 97305 97306 97308 97309 97310 97311 97312 97313 97314 97317
Frost dates near Salem
- Keizer Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Silverton Mar 28 · Nov 10
- Gervais Mar 28 · Nov 10
- Mount Angel Mar 28 · Nov 10
- Turner Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Woodburn Mar 16 · Nov 14
- Aumsville Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Sublimity Mar 29 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, OR?
The median last spring frost in Salem, OR is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, OR?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Salem, OR?
About 227 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, OR?
Salem, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.