Frost dates for 97862Milton Freewater, OR
The average last spring frost in Milton Freewater is March 25 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 218 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 218 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 142 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) | Mar 29 · Apr 19 · May 8 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Nov 2 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 25 · Apr 16 | Oct 12 · Oct 29 · Nov 16 | 218 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 5 · Mar 28 | Oct 24 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milton Freewater
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 | Feb 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97862 is matched to the NOAA station Milton Freewater, OR, 1.5 km away, at 970 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton Freewater, OR (used) | 970 ft | Mar 25 | Oct 29 |
| Whitman Mission, WA | 632 ft | May 2 | Oct 1 |
| Walla Walla Rgnl Ap, WA | 1,166 ft | Mar 27 | Oct 31 |
| Pendleton Branch Exp Stn, OR | 1,487 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Milton Freewater
- College Place, WA 99324 · last May 2, first Oct 1
- Walla Walla, WA 99362 · last Mar 27, first Oct 31
- Athena, OR 97813 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Weston, OR 97886 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Adams, OR 97810 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Touchet, WA 99360 · last May 2, first Oct 1
- Helix, OR 97835 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Dixie, WA 99329 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milton Freewater, OR?
- For ZIP code 97862, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Milton Freewater, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Milton Freewater, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97862?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 218 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.