Frost dates for 97504Medford, OR
The average last spring frost in Medford is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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 11 · Apr 30 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 8 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 29 · Nov 16 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 10 · Apr 3 | Oct 26 · Nov 13 · Dec 9 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Medford
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97504 is matched to the NOAA station Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR, 5.6 km away, at 1,297 ft elevation (196 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR (used) | 1,297 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Ashland, OR | 1,729 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Ruch, OR | 1,550 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
| Howard Prairie Dam, OR | 4,567 ft | Jun 8 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Medford
- Phoenix, OR 97535 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Medford, OR 97501 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Central Point, OR 97502 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- White City, OR 97503 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Talent, OR 97540 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Eagle Point, OR 97524 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Ashland, OR 97520 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Gold Hill, OR 97525 · last May 4, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Medford, OR?
- For ZIP code 97504, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Medford, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. 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 97504?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.