Frost Dates for Pendleton, OR 97801
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 2 · 166 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 97801 has about 21,600 people.
Moderate season: 166 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–May 6 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 17–October 17 (30 days).
Frost probability for 97801
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 19 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 17 | October 2 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PENDLETON DWTN (2.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 166-day season in Pendleton
In Pendleton (166 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 | Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Feb 22. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 22. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 22. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 271 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 222 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after Apr 26. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | May 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 22. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | May 20 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 26. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 166 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 26. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | May 28 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | May 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 145 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 19. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after Apr 26. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after Apr 26. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Pendleton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 20), Pumpkin (May 20), Cantaloupe (May 28), Celery (May 28), Melons (May 28), Spaghetti Squash (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 7), Tomatillos (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 12), Corn (Jun 14), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 1), Pole Beans (Jul 1), Basil (Jul 6), Cosmos (Jul 6), Cucumber (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beets (Aug 1), Dill (Aug 1), Swiss Chard (Aug 1), Calendula (Aug 6), Cilantro (Aug 6), Collards (Aug 10), +9 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 2). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 2). First frost around October 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 23). |
| 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 Pendleton, OR (ZIP 97801)?
The median last spring frost date for Pendleton, OR (ZIP code 97801) is around April 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 2; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Pendleton, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Pendleton, OR is around October 2. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Pendleton, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Pendleton is about 166 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 Pendleton (166 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 Pendleton, OR?
Pendleton, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Pendleton, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Pendleton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Pendleton?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Pendleton?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Hermiston (ZIP 97838) has 196 frost-free days, 30 more than Pendleton (ZIP 97801). See Hermiston ZIP 97838 frost dates
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