Frost dates for 97308Salem, 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 6 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 97308 is matched to the NOAA station Salem Mcnary Fld, OR, 5 km away, at 205 ft elevation (48 ft higher 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 |
| Stayton, OR | 425 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Salem, OR 97309 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Keizer, OR 97307 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Turner, OR 97392 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Rickreall, OR 97371 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Independence, OR 97351 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Aumsville, OR 97325 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Monmouth, OR 97361 · last Apr 16, first Nov 1
- Gervais, OR 97026 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, OR?
- For ZIP code 97308, 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 97308?
- 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.