Frost Dates for Bend, OR 97709
Bend has 5 ZIP codes. The Bend, OR frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 19 · First fall frost September 30 · 134 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
Moderate season: 134 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 27–June 10 (44 days). Fall frost risk spans September 6–October 24 (48 days).
Frost probability for 97709
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 10 | May 19 | April 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 6 | September 30 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MCKENZIE RVR RS (38.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 134-day season in Bend
In Bend (134 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 14 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 28–May 5 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 28. | Jul 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 106 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 2. | Jul 4 |
| Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 26. | Jul 11 |
| Peas | — | Mar 24–Jun 2 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 24. | Jul 20 |
| Zucchini | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 106 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 2. | Jul 9 |
| Onion | Feb 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 24–May 12 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 21. | Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 21. | Jul 29 |
| Radish | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | May 5–May 12 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after May 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 30 | 239 | overwinter: Plant Sep 30 to Oct 21; harvest the following summer. | Oct 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 14–Jun 9 | 190 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 106 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 106 available after May 26. | Jun 12 |
| Pumpkin | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 99 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 7 | May 12–May 26 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after May 12. | Jul 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 24 | May 5–May 5 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 21. | Jun 29 |
| Butternut Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 99 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 31 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | Jun 10 |
| Okra | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 26. | Jul 9 |
| Basil | Apr 14 | Jun 9–Jun 9 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 9. | Jul 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 21–May 12 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | Jul 15 |
| Celery | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 9 | 134 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Collards | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cantaloupe | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Chives | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Oregano | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after May 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | — |
| Sage | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after May 26. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 26. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Cosmos | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | Jul 4 |
| Lavender | Feb 24 | May 19–Jun 2 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after May 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 7 | May 19–May 26 | 120 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 14 |
| Melons | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Mint | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after May 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | Jul 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 113 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 113 available after May 26. | Jun 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 99 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 120 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | Jun 24 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 5 |
| Watermelon | May 5 | May 26–Jun 2 | 99 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | May 31 |
| Yellow Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 106 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 2. | Jul 9 |
| Zinnias | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | Jul 4 |
Month by month in Bend
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 24), Lavender (Feb 24), Onion (Feb 24), Rosemary (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 10), Collards (Mar 10), Kale (Mar 10), Oregano (Mar 10), Parsley (Mar 10), Scallions (Mar 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 24), Beets (Mar 24), Dill (Mar 24), Peas (Mar 24), Radish (Mar 24), Spinach (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Marigolds (Apr 7), Pepper (Apr 7), Basil (Apr 14), Tomato (Apr 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 7), Cilantro (Apr 21), Turnip (Apr 21), Carrots (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 21), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 21), Cabbage (Apr 21), Collards (Apr 21), Kale (Apr 21), Lettuce (Apr 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 14). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pumpkin (May 5), Spaghetti Squash (May 5), Watermelon (May 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 5), Sunflowers (May 19), Beans (May 26), Pole Beans (May 26). Transplant from: Calendula (May 5), Swiss Chard (May 5), Bok Choy (May 12), Cauliflower (May 12), Cosmos (May 19), Lavender (May 19), +15 more. Last frost around May 19. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Cucumber (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 2), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 10), Corn (Jun 12), Sunflowers (Jun 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 29), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 4), Cosmos (Jul 4), Cucumber (Jul 4), Zinnias (Jul 4), Broccoli (Jul 5), Nasturtiums (Jul 9), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 4), Cilantro (Aug 4), Collards (Aug 8), Scallions (Aug 8), Bok Choy (Aug 9), Lettuce (Aug 9), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 30). First frost around September 30. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 21). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bend, OR (ZIP 97709)?
The median last spring frost date for Bend, OR (ZIP code 97709) is around May 19. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 27; one in ten it runs past June 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Bend, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Bend, OR is around September 30. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bend, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Bend is about 134 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bend (134 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bend, OR?
Bend, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bend, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 14 and plant out Jun 2 in Bend. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bend?
Two: plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7.
When do I plant garlic in Bend?
Sep 30 to Oct 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Bend?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
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