N Willamette Exp Stn, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every N Willamette Exp Stn garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
240 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 22 Mar 18 Apr 10
First fall frost Dec 6 Nov 13 Oct 27
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 13 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the N WILLAMETTE EXP STN 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 N Willamette Exp Stn

Computed from N Willamette Exp Stn'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 21 – Feb 4 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🫑 Peppers Jan 7 – Jan 21 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🥬 Lettuce Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4 Feb 18 – Mar 18
🫛 Peas Feb 4 – Feb 18
🥕 Carrots Feb 25 – Mar 18
🥦 Broccoli Jan 28 – Feb 11 Feb 25 – Mar 11
🥬 Kale Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4 Feb 18 – Mar 4
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 18 – Feb 25 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🥒 Zucchini Feb 18 – Feb 25 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 25 – Apr 1
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 25 – Apr 1
🌿 Basil Feb 4 – Feb 18 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 2 – Oct 30

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 N Willamette Exp Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in N Willamette Exp Stn

With roughly 240 frost-free days, N Willamette Exp Stn 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 13 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in N Willamette Exp Stn, OR?

The average last spring frost in N Willamette Exp Stn is around Mar 18, 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 N Willamette Exp Stn, OR?

The average first fall frost in N Willamette Exp Stn arrives around Nov 13. 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 N Willamette Exp Stn?

About 240 frost-free days on average, from Mar 18 to Nov 13. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is N Willamette Exp Stn 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.