Frost dates for 97434Dorena, OR
The average last spring frost in Dorena is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 20 · May 9 · Jun 2 | Sep 14 · Oct 5 · Oct 29 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 16 · May 11 | Oct 4 · Oct 28 · Nov 23 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 12 · Apr 13 | Oct 24 · Nov 21 · Dec 23 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dorena
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97434 is matched to the NOAA station Dorena, OR, 7.5 km away, at 820 ft elevation (135 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorena, OR (used) | 820 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
| Cottage Grove 2E, OR | 595 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
| Cottage Grove Dam, OR | 831 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 1 |
| Lookout Pt Dam, OR | 712 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Dorena
- Cottage Grove, OR 97424 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Dexter, OR 97431 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Creswell, OR 97426 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Lowell, OR 97452 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Fall Creek, OR 97438 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Lorane, OR 97451 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Drain, OR 97435 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dorena, OR?
- For ZIP code 97434, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dorena, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Dorena, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97434?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.