Frost dates for 97128Mcminnville, OR
The average last spring frost in Mcminnville is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 12 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 9 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Apr 5 · Apr 27 | Oct 20 · Nov 7 · Dec 1 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 3 · Feb 20 · Mar 20 | Nov 5 · Nov 28 · Jan 2 | 283 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Mcminnville
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 18 |
| 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 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 18 |
| 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 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97128 is matched to the NOAA station Mc Minnville, OR, 3.5 km away, at 155 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mc Minnville, OR (used) | 155 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 7 |
| Mcminnville Muni Ap, OR | 159 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Rex 1 S, OR | 515 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 22 |
| Dallas 2 Ne, OR | 290 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Mcminnville
- Lafayette, OR 97127 · last Apr 5, first Nov 7
- Carlton, OR 97111 · last Apr 5, first Nov 7
- Dayton, OR 97114 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Amity, OR 97101 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Yamhill, OR 97148 · last Apr 5, first Nov 7
- Dundee, OR 97115 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Saint Paul, OR 97137 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Sheridan, OR 97378 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mcminnville, OR?
- For ZIP code 97128, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mc Minnville, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Mcminnville, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. 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 97128?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.