Frost dates for 97539Shady Cove, OR
The average last spring frost in Shady Cove is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 1 · May 18 · Jun 7 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 29 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 31 · Apr 28 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Dec 1 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shady Cove
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97539 is matched to the NOAA station Lost Creek Dam, OR, 13.2 km away, at 1,580 ft elevation (186 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Creek Dam, OR (used) | 1,580 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 17 |
| Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR | 1,297 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Prospect 2 Sw, OR | 2,482 ft | May 19 | Oct 3 |
| Ashland, OR | 1,729 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Shady Cove
- Trail, OR 97541 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Eagle Point, OR 97524 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- White City, OR 97503 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Butte Falls, OR 97522 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Central Point, OR 97502 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Prospect, OR 97536 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Gold Hill, OR 97525 · last May 4, first Oct 13
- Medford, OR 97504 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shady Cove, OR?
- For ZIP code 97539, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lost Creek Dam, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Shady Cove, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97539?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.