Bonneville Dam, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bonneville Dam garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
258 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 19 Mar 14 Apr 4
First fall frost Dec 15 Nov 27 Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 14 · first Dec 14

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BONNEVILLE DAM station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bonneville Dam

Computed from Bonneville Dam's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 17 – Jan 31 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫑 Peppers Jan 3 – Jan 17 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🥬 Lettuce Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Mar 14
🫛 Peas Jan 31 – Feb 14
🥕 Carrots Feb 21 – Mar 14
🥦 Broccoli Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥬 Kale Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🥒 Zucchini Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌿 Basil Jan 31 – Feb 14 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 16 – Nov 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bonneville Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bonneville Dam

With roughly 258 frost-free days, Bonneville Dam gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bonneville Dam, OR?

The average last spring frost in Bonneville Dam is around Mar 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bonneville Dam, OR?

The average first fall frost in Bonneville Dam arrives around Nov 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bonneville Dam?

About 258 frost-free days on average, from Mar 14 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Bonneville Dam in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.