Frost dates for 97309 — Salem, OR
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season212 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between March 10 and April 27, a 48-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Oregon median of Apr 16.
- Its 212-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 345 Oregon places with a regular frost season (state median 193 days).
- The last frost is 18 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 49 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Portland, OR, 70 km away, the last frost here is 37 days later than there and the growing season is 67 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 97309 — Salem, OR — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 1, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
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 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Salem Mcnary Fld, OR weather station, 5 km away (elevation 207 ft (63 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
- Turner Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Rickreall Apr 16 · Nov 1
- Independence Apr 16 · Nov 1
- Aumsville Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Monmouth Apr 16 · Nov 1
- Gervais Mar 28 · Nov 10
- 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 April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, 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 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Salem, OR?
About 212 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.