Frost dates for 97845John Day, OR
The average last spring frost in John Day is May 28 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 113 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 28
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 113 days
Safer after Jun 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 206 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 31 · Jun 19 · Jul 8 | Aug 16 · Sep 2 · Sep 20 | 76 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 12 · May 28 · Jun 15 | Sep 2 · Sep 18 · Oct 4 | 113 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 13 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 146 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for John Day
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 27 – Jul 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97845 is matched to the NOAA station John Day, OR, 1 km away, at 3,063 ft elevation (24 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Day, OR (used) | 3,063 ft | May 28 | Sep 18 |
| Seneca, OR | 4,660 ft | — | — |
| Long Creek, OR | 3,740 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 14 |
| Austin 3 S, OR | 4,213 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near John Day
- Canyon City, OR 97820 · last May 28, first Sep 18
- Mount Vernon, OR 97865 · last May 28, first Sep 18
- Prairie City, OR 97869 · last May 28, first Sep 18
- Seneca, OR 97873 · last —, first —
- Long Creek, OR 97856 · last Jun 5, first Sep 14
- Bates, OR 97817 · last —, first —
- Dayville, OR 97825 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Monument, OR 97864 · last May 9, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in John Day, OR?
- For ZIP code 97845, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the John Day, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 15.
- When is the first frost in John Day, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97845?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 113 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.