Frost dates for 97058The Dalles, OR
The average last spring frost in The Dalles is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 18 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 5 · Oct 23 · Nov 9 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 9 | Oct 19 · Nov 5 · Nov 26 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for The Dalles
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97058 is matched to the NOAA station The Dalles, OR, 1.4 km away, at 150 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dalles, OR (used) | 150 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
| The Dalles Muni Ap, WA | 235 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Dufur, OR | 1,330 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Hood Rvr Exp Stn, OR | 500 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near The Dalles
- Dallesport, WA 98617 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Mosier, OR 97040 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Lyle, WA 98635 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Wishram, WA 98673 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Centerville, WA 98613 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Dufur, OR 97021 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Klickitat, WA 98628 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Odell, OR 97044 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in The Dalles, OR?
- For ZIP code 97058, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the The Dalles, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in The Dalles, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97058?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.