Frost dates for 97478Springfield, OR
The average last spring frost in Springfield is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 13 · May 3 · May 22 | Oct 1 · Oct 23 · Nov 10 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Apr 3 · May 2 | Oct 21 · Nov 11 · Dec 5 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 3 · Feb 22 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Dec 4 · Jan 10 | 284 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97478 is matched to the NOAA station Leaburg 1 Sw, OR, 18.9 km away, at 675 ft elevation (163 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaburg 1 Sw, OR (used) | 675 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 11 |
| Lookout Pt Dam, OR | 712 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 27 |
| Eugene Mahlon Sweet Ap, OR | 353 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 23 |
| Dorena, OR | 820 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Springfield, OR 97477 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Eugene, OR 97403 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Dexter, OR 97431 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Marcola, OR 97454 · last Apr 3, first Nov 11
- Lowell, OR 97452 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Creswell, OR 97426 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Fall Creek, OR 97438 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, OR?
- For ZIP code 97478, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Leaburg 1 Sw, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97478?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.