Frost dates for 97520Ashland, OR
The average last spring frost in Ashland is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | May 12 · May 29 · Jun 17 | Sep 6 · Sep 23 · Oct 9 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 6 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 8 · Oct 26 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 15 · May 4 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 16 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ashland
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 | Apr 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97520 is matched to the NOAA station Ashland, OR, 3.3 km away, at 1,729 ft elevation (233 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland, OR (used) | 1,729 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR | 1,297 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Howard Prairie Dam, OR | 4,567 ft | Jun 8 | Sep 24 |
| Ruch, OR | 1,550 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Ashland
- Talent, OR 97540 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Phoenix, OR 97535 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Medford, OR 97501 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Jacksonville, OR 97530 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Central Point, OR 97502 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- White City, OR 97503 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Hornbrook, CA 96044 · last May 12, first Oct 8
- Eagle Point, OR 97524 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ashland, OR?
- For ZIP code 97520, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ashland, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Ashland, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97520?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.