Frost dates for 97317Salem, OR
The average last spring frost in Salem is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (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 5 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 4 · Oct 22 · Nov 10 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 29 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 6 · Nov 26 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Mar 1 · Mar 26 | Nov 1 · Nov 22 · Dec 18 | 267 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 | Feb 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97317 is matched to the NOAA station Stayton, OR, 14.5 km away, at 425 ft elevation (31 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayton, OR (used) | 425 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Salem Mcnary Fld, OR | 205 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Silverton, OR | 408 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 10 |
| Silver Creek Falls, OR | 1,350 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Salem, OR 97310 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Turner, OR 97392 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Aumsville, OR 97325 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Sublimity, OR 97385 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Keizer, OR 97307 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Silverton, OR 97381 · last Mar 28, first Nov 10
- Stayton, OR 97383 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Jefferson, OR 97352 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, OR?
- For ZIP code 97317, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stayton, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Salem, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. 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 97317?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.