Frost dates for 97438Fall Creek, OR
The average last spring frost in Fall Creek is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 26 · May 12 · Jun 2 | Sep 11 · Oct 2 · Oct 22 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 24 · Nov 13 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 22 · Apr 18 | Oct 24 · Nov 13 · Dec 13 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fall Creek
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97438 is matched to the NOAA station Oakridge Fish Hatchery, OR, 30.4 km away, at 1,275 ft elevation (208 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakridge Fish Hatchery, OR (used) | 1,275 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Lookout Pt Dam, OR | 712 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 27 |
| Leaburg 1 Sw, OR | 675 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 11 |
| Dorena, OR | 820 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Fall Creek
- Lowell, OR 97452 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Dexter, OR 97431 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Walterville, OR 97489 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Springfield, OR 97478 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Vida, OR 97488 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Westfir, OR 97492 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Creswell, OR 97426 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fall Creek, OR?
- For ZIP code 97438, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oakridge Fish Hatchery, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Fall Creek, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97438?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.