Frost dates for 97028Government Camp, OR
The average last spring frost in Government Camp is May 27 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 208 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) | Jun 2 · Jun 21 · Jul 11 | Aug 27 · Sep 16 · Oct 6 | 86 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 27 · Jun 14 | Sep 18 · Oct 9 · Oct 26 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 3 · May 22 | Oct 9 · Oct 28 · Nov 15 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Government Camp
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 | Apr 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97028 is matched to the NOAA station Government Camp, OR, 0.5 km away, at 3,980 ft elevation (128 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Camp, OR (used) | 3,980 ft | May 27 | Oct 9 |
| Parkdale 1 Nne, OR | 1,520 ft | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| Three Lynx, OR | 1,120 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 8 |
| Headworks Portland Wtr B, OR | 748 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Government Camp
- Rhododendron, OR 97049 · last May 27, first Oct 9
- Welches, OR 97067 · last Apr 5, first Nov 8
- Brightwood, OR 97011 · last Apr 5, first Nov 8
- Mount Hood Parkdale, OR 97041 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Tygh Valley, OR 97063 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Sandy, OR 97055 · last Mar 27, first Nov 18
- Odell, OR 97044 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- North Bonneville, WA 98639 · last Mar 14, first Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Government Camp, OR?
- For ZIP code 97028, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Government Camp, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Government Camp, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97028?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.