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Frost dates and planting calendar for Salem, Oregon

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8b[1]
Median last spring frost
Apr 3[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 1[3]
Growing season, median
212 days[4]

Salem, Oregon is in USDA hardiness zone 8b[1]. The median last spring frost at the Salem Mcnary Field station is April 3, which means a last frost after that date in half of years[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 10, half of years Apr 3, 1 in 10 years after Apr 27Last frostmedian Apr 3First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 23, half of years Nov 1, 1 in 10 years before Oct 16First frostmedian Nov 1Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 6 to Mar 20Mar 6 to Mar 20Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 20 to Apr 3Mar 20 to Apr 3TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 3around Apr 3Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 17from Apr 17
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

NOAA frost dates for Salem come from the Salem Mcnary Field weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 3, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after April 27[2]. In half of years the first fall frost comes before November 1, and in 1 of 10 years it comes before October 16[3]. These are chances from past records and not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later[2].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 10 after April 3 after April 27
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 16 before November 1 before November 23
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 2, median first fall date November 22[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 183 days in 9 of 10 years, 212 days in half of years and 245 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 99.9% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Salem Mcnary Field (USW00024232), 1.7 miles from the city center, 205 feet, 21 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension groups vegetables by how well they handle frost, and its guide was written for Colorado[6]. Hardy vegetables such as lettuce, peas and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost, which works out to March 6 to March 20 in Salem[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost, which is March 20[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be sown from seed around the median last frost date, April 3[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after it, so the earliest start is April 17[11]. These dates come from GardenFacts arithmetic on the CSU rules, not from CSU itself[12].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 3) is March 6 to March 20[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 3) is March 20, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 3[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 3), is April 17[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 10 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 30 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 25
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 5
Onions (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Jun 24
Peas (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 10
Radishes (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 5
Spinach (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 15
Turnips (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 25
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 19
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 29
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 29
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 Jul 23
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 19
Snap beans (tender)[12] Apr 3 Jun 2
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Apr 3 Jun 2
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Apr 3 May 28
Summer squash (tender)[12] Apr 3 May 23
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 11
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 16 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 26 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 21 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 26
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 11
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Salem in zone 8b, which means an average coldest night of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is based on the coldest winter night and not on frost dates or summer heat[14]. Salem overlaps 8 ZIP code areas, and by land area 100% of the city lies in areas rated zone 8b[15].

Zone 8b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 15°F to 20°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 18.8°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 8b and what zone 8b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
97302[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97301[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97304[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97317[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97306[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97305[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97303[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
97310[15] 8b 15 to 20°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Salem, Oregon?
The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Salem in zone 8b[1]. By land area, all of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated 8b[15].
When is the last frost in Salem?
The median last spring frost at the Salem Mcnary Field station is April 3, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after April 27[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Salem?
CSU Extension says tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last spring frost, and its guide was written for Colorado[11]. Using the Salem median last frost, the earliest start is April 17[11].
When is the first frost in Salem?
The median first fall frost is November 1, so in half of years the first frost comes before that date[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before October 16[3].
How long is the growing season in Salem?
The growing season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 212 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 183 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Salem, Oregon in zone 8b. Zone 8b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 18.8°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 10, in half of years after April 3, and in 1 of 10 years after April 27 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 3. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 16, in half of years before November 1, and in 9 of 10 years before November 23 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 1. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 183 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 212 days in half of years, and at least 245 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Salem Mcnary Field weather station (USW00024232), 1.7 miles from the center of Salem at 205 feet, using 21 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 2 and the median first fall date is November 22. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 99.9% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Salem, Oregon overlaps 8 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.