Frost dates for 97868Pilot Rock, OR
The average last spring frost in Pilot Rock is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 12 · May 30 · Jun 17 | Sep 1 · Sep 20 · Oct 4 | 111 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 2 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pilot Rock
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97868 is matched to the NOAA station Pilot Rock 1 Se, OR, 6.1 km away, at 1,720 ft elevation (547 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Rock 1 Se, OR (used) | 1,720 ft | May 7 | Oct 4 |
| Pendleton Dwtn, OR | 1,040 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 9 |
| Pendleton, OR | 1,515 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 16 |
| Pendleton Wfo, OR | 1,510 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Pilot Rock
- Pendleton, OR 97801 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Meacham, OR 97859 · last —, first —
- Ukiah, OR 97880 · last Jun 5, first Sep 14
- Adams, OR 97810 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Echo, OR 97826 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Stanfield, OR 97875 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Helix, OR 97835 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Athena, OR 97813 · last May 12, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pilot Rock, OR?
- For ZIP code 97868, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pilot Rock 1 Se, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Pilot Rock, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97868?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.