Frost dates for 97827Elgin, OR
The average last spring frost in Elgin is May 24 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 114 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 24
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 114 days
Safer after Jun 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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) | — | — | 71 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 24 · Jun 21 | Sep 1 · Sep 18 · Oct 3 | 114 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 24 | Sep 13 · Oct 1 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elgin
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 23 – Jun 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – May 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97827 is matched to the NOAA station Elgin, OR, 3.2 km away, at 2,697 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin, OR (used) | 2,697 ft | May 24 | Sep 18 |
| Wallowa, OR | 2,923 ft | Jun 7 | Sep 9 |
| La Grande, OR | 2,755 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| Meacham, OR | 3,723 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Elgin
- Summerville, OR 97876 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Imbler, OR 97841 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Wallowa, OR 97885 · last Jun 7, first Sep 9
- Cove, OR 97824 · last May 11, first Sep 26
- La Grande, OR 97850 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Lostine, OR 97857 · last Jun 7, first Sep 9
- Meacham, OR 97859 · last —, first —
- Weston, OR 97886 · last May 12, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elgin, OR?
- For ZIP code 97827, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elgin, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 21.
- When is the first frost in Elgin, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97827?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 114 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.