Frost Dates for Molalla, OR 97038
Last spring frost May 11 · First fall frost October 22 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 97038 has about 16,400 people.
Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–June 1 (42 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–November 10 (39 days).
Frost probability for 97038
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 1 | May 11 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 22 | November 10 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SCOTTS MILLS 9 SE (14.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 164-day season in Molalla
In Molalla (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 1 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 30 | May 25–Jun 1 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 25 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Mar 16–May 25 | 227 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 16. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16–May 4 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 13. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 13. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 269 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 6–Jun 1 | 220 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 18. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 27 | May 25–May 25 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 25. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 | May 4–May 18 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 4. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 16 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 13. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 25. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 122 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 1. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 13–May 4 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 18. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Mar 2 | May 18–Jun 1 | 164 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 18. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 18. | — |
| Sage | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 18. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 18. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 16 | May 11–May 25 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 30 | May 11–May 18 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | May 11–May 25 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 143 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 18. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 25. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 11–May 25 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 11. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Molalla
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 16), Lavender (Feb 16), Onion (Feb 16), Rosemary (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Oregano (Mar 2), Parsley (Mar 2), Scallions (Mar 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 16), Beets (Mar 16), Dill (Mar 16), Peas (Mar 16), Radish (Mar 16), Spinach (Mar 16), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 6), Tomato (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Corn (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 13), Nasturtiums (Apr 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 13), Turnip (Apr 13), Carrots (Apr 20), Potatoes (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 13), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 13), Cabbage (Apr 13), Collards (Apr 13), Kale (Apr 13), Lettuce (Apr 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 6). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 11), Beans (May 18), Pole Beans (May 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 4), Cauliflower (May 4), Cosmos (May 11), Lavender (May 11), Marigolds (May 11), Mint (May 11), +24 more. Last frost around May 11. |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 1). Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| 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 Molalla, OR (ZIP 97038)?
The median last spring frost date for Molalla, OR (ZIP code 97038) is around May 11. 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 20; one in ten it runs past June 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Molalla, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Molalla, OR is around October 22. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Molalla, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Molalla is about 164 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 Molalla (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Molalla, OR?
Molalla, 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 Molalla, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 6 and plant out May 25 in Molalla. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Molalla?
Two: plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Molalla?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Canby (ZIP 97013) has 217 frost-free days, 53 more than Molalla (ZIP 97038). See Canby ZIP 97013 frost dates
Nearby and related
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