Frost Dates for Forest Grove, OR 97116
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 24 · 184 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 97116 has about 29,800 people.
Long season: 184 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–May 16 (47 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 10 (36 days).
Frost probability for 97116
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | April 23 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 24 | November 10 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FOREST GROVE (9.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 184-day season in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove (184 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 19 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 24 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 29 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 2. | Aug 22 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 26. | Aug 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 26. | Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 26. | Aug 22 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 24 | 289 | overwinter: Plant Oct 24 to Nov 14; harvest the following summer. | Nov 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 240 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 30. | Jul 6 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 7. | Jun 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 16. | Aug 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 26. | Jul 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 7. | Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jul 4 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | Aug 8 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 184 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | Jun 19 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 19 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 19 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 163 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 30. | Jul 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 7. | Jun 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 23. | Jul 18 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
Month by month in Forest Grove
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 11), Pumpkin (Jun 11), Cantaloupe (Jun 19), Celery (Jun 19), Melons (Jun 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 21), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 4), Corn (Jul 6), Sunflowers (Jul 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 23), Pole Beans (Jul 23), Basil (Jul 28), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 2), Okra (Aug 2), Yellow Squash (Aug 2), Zucchini (Aug 2), Cauliflower (Aug 3), Beans (Aug 4), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 1), Scallions (Sep 1), Bok Choy (Sep 2), Lettuce (Sep 2), Kale (Sep 6), Kohlrabi (Sep 6), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 24). First frost around October 24. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 14). |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR (ZIP 97116)?
The median last spring frost date for Forest Grove, OR (ZIP code 97116) is around April 23. 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 March 30; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Forest Grove, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Forest Grove, OR is around October 24. 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 October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Forest Grove, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Forest Grove is about 184 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 Forest Grove (184 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Forest Grove, OR?
Forest Grove, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Forest Grove, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Forest Grove. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Forest Grove?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31.
When do I plant garlic in Forest Grove?
Oct 24 to Nov 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Forest Grove?
Yes: plant out May 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 24 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Beaverton (ZIP 97007) has 197 frost-free days, 13 more than Forest Grove (ZIP 97116). See Beaverton ZIP 97007 frost dates
Nearby and related
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