Frost dates for 97304Salem, OR
The average last spring frost in Salem is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Apr 3 · Apr 27 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 23 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 2 · Mar 30 | Oct 30 · Nov 22 · Dec 17 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salem
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97304 is matched to the NOAA station Salem Mcnary Fld, OR, 8.4 km away, at 205 ft elevation (136 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Mcnary Fld, OR (used) | 205 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Dallas 2 Ne, OR | 290 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
| Silverton, OR | 408 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 10 |
| Mcminnville Muni Ap, OR | 159 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Salem, OR 97308 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Keizer, OR 97307 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Rickreall, OR 97371 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Independence, OR 97351 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Turner, OR 97392 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Amity, OR 97101 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Monmouth, OR 97361 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Dallas, OR 97338 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, OR?
- For ZIP code 97304, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salem Mcnary Fld, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Salem, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97304?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.