Frost Dates for Salem, OR
In Salem, OR, the average last spring frost is around Apr 3 and the average first fall frost around Nov 1, for a growing season of about 212 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 27, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Salem Mcnary Fld, OR weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 205 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 27 | Oct 16 |
| 20% | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| 30% | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| 40% | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| 50% | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| 60% | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| 70% | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
| 80% | Mar 20 | Nov 16 |
| 90% | Mar 10 | Nov 23 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 | Nov 22 |
Planting calendar for Salem
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Oct 4
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Sep 27
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 6
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 20
Transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Transplant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 11
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 6
Plant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Based on the average last frost (Apr 3) and first frost (Nov 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.