Frost dates for 97843Ione, OR
The average last spring frost in Ione is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 28 · May 12 · Jun 1 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Apr 2 · Apr 24 | Oct 15 · Nov 1 · Nov 20 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ione
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97843 is matched to the NOAA station Heppner, OR, 25.2 km away, at 1,885 ft elevation (320 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heppner, OR (used) | 1,885 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Boardman, OR | 280 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Arlington, OR | 277 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 21 |
| Condon, OR | 2,881 ft | May 10 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Ione
- Lexington, OR 97839 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Heppner, OR 97836 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Boardman, OR 97818 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Mikkalo, OR 97861 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Arlington, OR 97812 · last Apr 6, first Oct 21
- Irrigon, OR 97844 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Condon, OR 97823 · last May 10, first Oct 7
- Echo, OR 97826 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ione, OR?
- For ZIP code 97843, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Heppner, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Ione, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97843?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.