Frost dates for 97701Bend, OR
The average last spring frost in Bend is June 6 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 105 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 6
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 105 days
Safer after Jun 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 217 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) | — | — | 72 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · Jun 6 · Jun 22 | Sep 3 · Sep 20 · Oct 5 | 105 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 11 · Jun 4 | Sep 18 · Oct 4 · Oct 21 | 144 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bend
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 | May 6 – Jul 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Aug 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97701 is matched to the NOAA station Bend, OR, 4.1 km away, at 3,660 ft elevation (127 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR (used) | 3,660 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 20 |
| Bend 7 Ne, OR | 3,358 ft | — | — |
| Redmond Roberts Fld, OR | 3,043 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 14 |
| Sunriver, OR | 4,180 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Bend
- Bend, OR 97708 · last Jun 6, first Sep 20
- Redmond, OR 97756 · last Jun 9, first Sep 14
- Powell Butte, OR 97753 · last Jun 9, first Sep 14
- Sisters, OR 97759 · last —, first —
- Terrebonne, OR 97760 · last Jun 9, first Sep 14
- Culver, OR 97734 · last Jun 9, first Sep 14
- Prineville, OR 97754 · last Jun 1, first Sep 22
- La Pine, OR 97739 · last Jun 7, first Sep 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bend, OR?
- For ZIP code 97701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bend, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 22.
- When is the first frost in Bend, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 105 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.