Frost dates for 97011Brightwood, OR
The average last spring frost in Brightwood is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 14 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Nov 7 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 5 · Apr 30 | Oct 20 · Nov 8 · Dec 1 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 26 · Mar 24 | Nov 6 · Nov 30 · Dec 30 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brightwood
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97011 is matched to the NOAA station Three Lynx, OR, 27.5 km away, at 1,120 ft elevation (84 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Lynx, OR (used) | 1,120 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 8 |
| Headworks Portland Wtr B, OR | 748 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 18 |
| Government Camp, OR | 3,980 ft | May 27 | Oct 9 |
| Estacada 2 Se, OR | 514 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Brightwood
- Welches, OR 97067 · last Apr 5, first Nov 8
- Rhododendron, OR 97049 · last May 27, first Oct 9
- Sandy, OR 97055 · last Mar 27, first Nov 18
- Government Camp, OR 97028 · last May 27, first Oct 9
- Bridal Veil, OR 97010 · last Mar 14, first Nov 27
- Corbett, OR 97019 · last Mar 27, first Nov 18
- Eagle Creek, OR 97022 · last Mar 27, first Nov 14
- Estacada, OR 97023 · last Mar 27, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brightwood, OR?
- For ZIP code 97011, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Three Lynx, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Brightwood, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97011?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.