Frost dates for 97138Seaside, OR
The average last spring frost in Seaside is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 5 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Sep 30 · Oct 20 · Nov 12 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Apr 2 · Apr 29 | Oct 18 · Nov 12 · Dec 6 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 27 · Mar 31 | Nov 7 · Dec 4 · Feb 1 | 285 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Seaside
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97138 is matched to the NOAA station Seaside, OR, 0.7 km away, at 10 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside, OR (used) | 10 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 12 |
| Ft Clatsop Natl Mem, OR | 42 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 18 |
| Astoria Rgnl Ap, OR | 9 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Long Beach Exp Stn, WA | 25 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Seaside
- Cannon Beach, OR 97110 · last Apr 2, first Nov 12
- Tolovana Park, OR 97145 · last Apr 2, first Nov 12
- Warrenton, OR 97146 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Astoria, OR 97103 · last Mar 30, first Nov 18
- Arch Cape, OR 97102 · last Apr 2, first Nov 12
- Hammond, OR 97121 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Nehalem, OR 97131 · last Apr 2, first Nov 12
- Manzanita, OR 97130 · last Apr 2, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Seaside, OR?
- For ZIP code 97138, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Seaside, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Seaside, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97138?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.