Frost dates for 97402Eugene, OR
The average last spring frost in Eugene is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 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 24 · May 15 · Jun 8 | Sep 18 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 11 · May 9 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Mar 3 · Mar 30 | Oct 20 · Nov 11 · Dec 12 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eugene
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97402 is matched to the NOAA station Eugene Mahlon Sweet Ap, OR, 9 km away, at 353 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene Mahlon Sweet Ap, OR (used) | 353 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Fern Ridge-Veneta, OR | 485 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Cottage Grove 2E, OR | 595 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
| Dorena, OR | 820 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Eugene
- Eugene, OR 97404 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Springfield, OR 97475 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Alvadore, OR 97409 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Veneta, OR 97487 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Junction City, OR 97448 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Elmira, OR 97437 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Creswell, OR 97426 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Cheshire, OR 97419 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eugene, OR?
- For ZIP code 97402, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eugene Mahlon Sweet Ap, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Eugene, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97402?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.