Frost Dates for Medford, OR 97504
Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 8 · 154 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 97504 has about 51,100 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Medford.
Moderate season: 154 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 24 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 27 (37 days).
Frost probability for 97504
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 7 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 8 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ASHLAND (14.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Medford, OR
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97504 | May 7 | October 8 | 8b |
| 97501 | May 12 | October 3 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 154-day season in Medford
In Medford (154 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 2 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 26 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 16. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 21. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 12–May 21 | 217 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 12. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12–Apr 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 259 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 2–May 28 | 210 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 23 | May 21–May 21 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 14 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Apr 2 | May 28–May 28 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 28. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 9–Apr 30 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 26 | May 14–May 28 | 154 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | — |
| Sage | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 12 | May 7–May 21 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 26 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | May 7–May 21 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 133 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7–May 21 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 23 | May 14–May 21 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Medford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Medford, OR (ZIP 97504)?
The median last spring frost date for Medford, OR (ZIP code 97504) is around May 7. 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Medford, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Medford, OR is around October 8. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Medford, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Medford is about 154 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 Medford (154 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Medford, OR?
Medford, 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 Medford, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Medford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Medford?
Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Medford?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Grants Pass (ZIP 97527) has 162 frost-free days, 8 more than Medford (ZIP 97504). See Grants Pass ZIP 97527 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Central Point, OR 97502 (9.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Eagle Point, OR 97524 (11.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Ashland, OR 97520 (18.2 mi)
- Frost dates for White City, OR 97503 (18.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Grants Pass, OR 97527 (29.9 mi)
- When to plant in OR
- When to plant Peppers in OR
- When to plant Cucumbers in OR
- When to plant Zucchini in OR
- When to plant Butternut Squash in OR
- When to plant Basil in OR
- When to plant Sweet Corn in OR
- Look up another ZIP