Frost Dates for Portland, OR 97209
Last spring frost March 23 · First fall frost November 15 · 237 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 97209 has about 22,300 people, one of 34 ZIP codes in Portland.
Long season: 237 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 27–April 22 (54 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–December 6 (46 days).
Frost probability for 97209
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | March 23 | February 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 15 | December 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PORTLAND INTL AP (9.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 237-day season in Portland
In Portland (237 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 | Feb 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 6. | Jul 16 |
| Pepper | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 6. | Jul 21 |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 279 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 2. | Sep 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Peas | — | Jan 26–Apr 6 | 300 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 300 available after Jan 26. | Sep 4 |
| Zucchini | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Onion | Dec 29 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 26–Mar 16 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 272 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | Sep 13 |
| Radish | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Oct 14 |
| Beets | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 15 | 342 | overwinter: Plant Nov 15 to Dec 6; harvest the following summer. | Dec 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 16–Apr 13 | 293 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 30. | Jul 28 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Jul 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 16. | Aug 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | Aug 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 6. | Jul 26 |
| Okra | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Basil | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 23–Mar 16 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Parsley | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 30. | Aug 30 |
| Celery | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 237 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 30. | Jul 11 |
| Scallions | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 23 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Collards | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 6. | Jul 11 |
| Chives | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Oregano | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Sage | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Cosmos | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Lavender | Dec 29 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Melons | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 6. | Jul 11 |
| Mint | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 30. | Aug 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Jul 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 23. | Aug 9 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 30. | Jul 21 |
| Watermelon | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 30. | Jul 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Zinnias | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
Month by month in Portland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 12), Collards (Jan 12), Kale (Jan 12), Oregano (Jan 12), Parsley (Jan 12), Scallions (Jan 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 26), Beets (Jan 26), Dill (Jan 26), Peas (Jan 26), Radish (Jan 26), Spinach (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 2), Calendula (Feb 9), Cauliflower (Feb 9), Marigolds (Feb 9), Pepper (Feb 9), Basil (Feb 16), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 9), Cilantro (Feb 23), Turnip (Feb 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 23), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 23), Cabbage (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), Kale (Feb 23), Lettuce (Feb 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 2), Butternut Squash (Mar 9), Cantaloupe (Mar 9), Melons (Mar 9), Pumpkin (Mar 9), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 2), Potatoes (Mar 9), Sunflowers (Mar 23), Beans (Mar 30), Pole Beans (Mar 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), Bok Choy (Mar 16), Cauliflower (Mar 16), Cosmos (Mar 23), Lavender (Mar 23), +15 more. Last frost around March 23. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Cucumber (Apr 6), Eggplant (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pepper (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 3), Pumpkin (Jul 3), Cantaloupe (Jul 11), Celery (Jul 11), Melons (Jul 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 13), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 9), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 14), Pole Beans (Aug 14), Basil (Aug 19), Cosmos (Aug 19), Cucumber (Aug 19), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 4), Cabbage (Sep 13), Carrots (Sep 13), Beets (Sep 14), Dill (Sep 14), Swiss Chard (Sep 14), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 3), Arugula (Oct 13), Spinach (Oct 13), Radish (Oct 14). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 15). First frost around November 15. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 29), Lavender (Dec 29), Onion (Dec 29), Rosemary (Dec 29). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 6). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Portland, OR (ZIP 97209)?
The median last spring frost date for Portland, OR (ZIP code 97209) is around March 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 February 27; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Portland, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Portland, OR is around November 15. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Portland, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Portland is about 237 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 Portland (237 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 Portland, OR?
Portland, OR is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Portland, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 16 and plant out Apr 6 in Portland. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Portland?
Two: plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22.
When do I plant garlic in Portland?
Nov 15 to Dec 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Portland?
Yes: plant out Apr 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 16 for a fall crop.
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