Frost dates for 97918Vale, OR
The average last spring frost in Vale is May 8 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (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 6 · May 31 · Jun 21 | Sep 1 · Sep 17 · Oct 1 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 8 · Jun 7 | Sep 11 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 25 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vale
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 97918 is matched to the NOAA station Vale, OR, 3.1 km away, at 2,240 ft elevation (286 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vale, OR (used) | 2,240 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Malheur Branch Exp Stn, OR | 2,260 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
| Ontario Muni Ap, OR | 2,190 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 14 |
| Ontario Ksrv, OR | 2,145 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Vale
- Ontario, OR 97914 · last Apr 22, first Oct 9
- Nyssa, OR 97913 · last Apr 18, first Oct 18
- Harper, OR 97906 · last May 7, first Oct 5
- Fruitland, ID 83619 · last Apr 21, first Oct 14
- Payette, ID 83661 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Jamieson, OR 97909 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Westfall, OR 97920 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Brogan, OR 97903 · last May 7, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vale, OR?
- For ZIP code 97918, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vale, OR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Vale, OR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 97918?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.