Frost dates for 97452Lowell, OR
The average last spring frost in Lowell is March 7 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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) | Mar 20 · Apr 16 · May 9 | Oct 19 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 7 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 27 · Dec 21 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 21 · Feb 2 · Mar 5 | Nov 18 · Dec 16 · Feb 1 | 319 days | 90% |
Planting calendar for Lowell
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 4 – Apr 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – May 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97452 is matched to the NOAA station Lookout Pt Dam, OR, 1.8 km away, at 712 ft elevation (49 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lookout Pt Dam, OR (used) | 712 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 27 |
| Dorena, OR | 820 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
| Leaburg 1 Sw, OR | 675 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 11 |
| Cottage Grove 2E, OR | 595 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Lowell
- Dexter, OR 97431 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Fall Creek, OR 97438 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Springfield, OR 97478 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Creswell, OR 97426 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Dorena, OR 97434 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Walterville, OR 97489 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Eugene, OR 97403 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lowell, OR?
- For ZIP code 97452, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lookout Pt Dam, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Lowell, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97452?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 263 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.