Port Orford #2, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Port Orford #2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
289 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 28 Feb 17 Mar 19
First fall frost Jan 11 Dec 3 Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 6 · first Dec 22

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PORT ORFORD #2 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 Port Orford #2

Computed from Port Orford #2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 23 – Jan 6 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🫑 Peppers Dec 9 – Dec 23 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🥬 Lettuce Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3 Jan 20 – Feb 17
🫛 Peas Jan 6 – Jan 20
🥕 Carrots Jan 27 – Feb 17
🥦 Broccoli Dec 30 – Jan 13 Jan 27 – Feb 10
🥬 Kale Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3 Jan 20 – Feb 3
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 20 – Jan 27 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🥒 Zucchini Jan 20 – Jan 27 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 24 – Mar 3
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 24 – Mar 3
🌿 Basil Jan 6 – Jan 20 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 22 – Nov 19

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 Port Orford #2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Port Orford #2

With roughly 289 frost-free days, Port Orford #2 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 Dec 3 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Port Orford #2, OR?

The average last spring frost in Port Orford #2 is around Feb 17, 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 Port Orford #2, OR?

The average first fall frost in Port Orford #2 arrives around Dec 3. 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 Port Orford #2?

About 289 frost-free days on average, from Feb 17 to Dec 3. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Port Orford #2 in?

USDA zone 8b 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.