Frost dates for 97526Grants Pass, OR
The average last spring frost in Grants Pass is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (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 14 · May 2 · May 30 | Sep 23 · Oct 11 · Oct 31 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 8 · May 1 | Oct 8 · Oct 28 · Nov 24 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 19 · Mar 8 · Apr 5 | Oct 22 · Nov 16 · Dec 27 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grants Pass
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 8 |
| 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 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 8 |
| 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 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97526 is matched to the NOAA station Grants Pass, OR, 4.8 km away, at 932 ft elevation (600 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass, OR (used) | 932 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
| Sexton Summit, OR | 3,832 ft | May 16 | Oct 30 |
| Ruch, OR | 1,550 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
| Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR | 1,297 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Grants Pass
- Grants Pass, OR 97528 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Merlin, OR 97532 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Rogue River, OR 97537 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Murphy, OR 97533 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Wilderville, OR 97543 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Gold Hill, OR 97525 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Wolf Creek, OR 97497 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Williams, OR 97544 · last May 4, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grants Pass, OR?
- For ZIP code 97526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grants Pass, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Grants Pass, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.