Frost dates for 97465Port Orford, OR
The average last spring frost in Port Orford is February 17 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 292 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 17
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 292 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 31 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) | Feb 22 · Mar 30 · Apr 28 | Oct 21 · Nov 11 · Dec 4 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 28 · Feb 17 · Mar 19 | Nov 8 · Dec 3 · Jan 11 | 292 days | 96% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 4 · Jan 6 · Feb 22 | Nov 27 · Dec 22 · Feb 16 | 357 days | 52% |
Planting calendar for Port Orford
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 | Jan 17 – Mar 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 5 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 17 – Feb 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 – Apr 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 6 – Jan 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Feb 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Apr 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Feb 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97465 is matched to the NOAA station Port Orford #2, OR, 1 km away, at 42 ft elevation (33 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Orford #2, OR (used) | 42 ft | Feb 17 | Dec 3 |
| Langlois #2, OR | 90 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 29 |
| Powers, OR | 230 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 14 |
| Illahe, OR | 348 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Port Orford
- Sixes, OR 97476 · last Mar 16, first Nov 29
- Langlois, OR 97450 · last Mar 16, first Nov 29
- Wedderburn, OR 97491 · last Feb 17, first Dec 3
- Ophir, OR 97464 · last Feb 16, first Dec 16
- Powers, OR 97466 · last Mar 21, first Nov 14
- Bandon, OR 97411 · last Mar 9, first Nov 27
- Gold Beach, OR 97444 · last Feb 16, first Dec 16
- Broadbent, OR 97414 · last Mar 21, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Port Orford, OR?
- For ZIP code 97465, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Port Orford #2, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- When is the first frost in Port Orford, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97465?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 292 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.