Frost Dates for Portland, OR 97220
Portland has 34 ZIP codes. The Portland, OR frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 27 · First fall frost November 11 · 229 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 97220 has about 27,200 people, one of 34 ZIP codes in Portland.
Long season: 229 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 3–April 21 (49 days). Fall frost risk spans October 11–December 6 (56 days).
Frost probability for 97220
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | March 27 | March 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 11 | November 11 | December 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TROUTDALE (13.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 229-day season in Portland
In Portland (229 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 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 12 |
| Pepper | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 17 |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 6. | Sep 9 |
| Cucumber | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Peas | — | Jan 30–Apr 10 | 292 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 292 available after Jan 30. | Aug 31 |
| Zucchini | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Onion | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 30–Mar 20 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 264 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 27. | Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 27. | Sep 9 |
| Radish | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Oct 10 |
| Beets | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 11 | 334 | overwinter: Plant Nov 11 to Dec 2; harvest the following summer. | Dec 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 20–Apr 17 | 285 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 3. | Jul 24 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 10. | Jun 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 20. | Aug 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 27. | Aug 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 10. | Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 22 |
| Okra | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Basil | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 27–Mar 20 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Parsley | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 3. | Aug 26 |
| Celery | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 229 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 3. | Jul 7 |
| Scallions | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Collards | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 7 |
| Chives | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Oregano | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Sage | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Cosmos | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Lavender | Jan 2 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Melons | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 7 |
| Mint | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 3. | Aug 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 10. | Jul 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 27. | Aug 5 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 3. | Jul 17 |
| Watermelon | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 3. | Jul 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Zinnias | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
Month by month in Portland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 2), Lavender (Jan 2), Onion (Jan 2), Rosemary (Jan 2), Celery (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 30), Beets (Jan 30), Dill (Jan 30), Peas (Jan 30), Radish (Jan 30), Spinach (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 6), Calendula (Feb 13), Cauliflower (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Pepper (Feb 13), Basil (Feb 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 13), Cilantro (Feb 27), Turnip (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 27), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 27), Cabbage (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), Kale (Feb 27), Lettuce (Feb 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 6), Butternut Squash (Mar 13), Cantaloupe (Mar 13), Melons (Mar 13), Pumpkin (Mar 13), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 6), Potatoes (Mar 13), Sunflowers (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), Bok Choy (Mar 20), Cauliflower (Mar 20), Cosmos (Mar 27), Lavender (Mar 27), +4 more. Last frost around March 27. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 3), Pole Beans (Apr 3). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 3), Chives (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Oregano (Apr 3), Parsley (Apr 3), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 29), Pumpkin (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 7), Celery (Jul 7), Melons (Jul 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 9), Tomato (Jul 12), Watermelon (Jul 12), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 5), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 10), Pole Beans (Aug 10), Basil (Aug 15), Cosmos (Aug 15), Cucumber (Aug 15), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 9), Carrots (Sep 9), Beets (Sep 10), Dill (Sep 10), Swiss Chard (Sep 10), Calendula (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 9), Spinach (Oct 9), Radish (Oct 10). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 11). First frost around November 11. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 2). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Portland, OR (ZIP 97220)?
The median last spring frost date for Portland, OR (ZIP code 97220) is around March 27. 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 3; one in ten it runs past April 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Portland, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Portland, OR is around November 11. 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 11 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 229 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 (229 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 20 and plant out Apr 10 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 27 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18.
When do I plant garlic in Portland?
Nov 11 to Dec 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Portland?
Yes: plant out Apr 10 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 12 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Portland (ZIP 97236) has 237 frost-free days, 8 more than Portland (ZIP 97220). See Portland ZIP 97236 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Portland, OR: month-by-month guide
- 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