Frost dates for 97436Elkton, OR
The average last spring frost in Elkton is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 1 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Sep 28 · Oct 18 · Nov 17 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 21 · Apr 14 | Oct 14 · Nov 12 · Dec 14 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Feb 13 · Mar 17 | Nov 3 · Dec 12 · Feb 1 | 308 days | 93% |
Planting calendar for Elkton
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97436 is matched to the NOAA station Elkton 3 Sw, OR, 4.4 km away, at 120 ft elevation (67 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkton 3 Sw, OR (used) | 120 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
| Elkton 1Sw, OR | 125 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 6 |
| Drain, OR | 292 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Cottage Grove Dam, OR | 831 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Elkton
- Scottsburg, OR 97473 · last Mar 21, first Nov 12
- Yoncalla, OR 97499 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Drain, OR 97435 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Oakland, OR 97462 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Umpqua, OR 97486 · last Apr 27, first Oct 19
- Lorane, OR 97451 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Sutherlin, OR 97479 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Wilbur, OR 97494 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkton, OR?
- For ZIP code 97436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elkton 3 Sw, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Elkton, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97436?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.