Frost Dates for Salem, OR 97301
Last spring frost April 7 · First fall frost October 31 · 207 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 97301 has about 57,600 people, the largest of 8 ZIP codes in Salem.
Long season: 207 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 13–May 4 (52 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 24 (48 days).
Frost probability for 97301
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 4 | April 7 | March 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 31 | November 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STAYTON (23.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Salem, OR
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97301 | April 7 | October 31 | 8b |
| 97305 | April 7 | October 31 | 8b |
| 97302 | April 28 | October 22 | 8b |
| 97303 | April 23 | October 24 | 8b |
| 97304 | April 28 | October 22 | 8b |
| 97306 | April 28 | October 22 | 8b |
| 97317 | April 7 | October 31 | 8b |
| 97310 | April 7 | October 31 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 207-day season in Salem
In Salem (207 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 | Mar 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jul 1 |
| Pepper | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jul 6 |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 17. | Aug 29 |
| Cucumber | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Beans | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Peas | — | Feb 10–Apr 21 | 270 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 10. | Aug 20 |
| Zucchini | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Onion | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 10–Mar 31 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Kale | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 10. | Aug 29 |
| Radish | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 29 |
| Beets | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 31 | 312 | overwinter: Plant Oct 31 to Nov 21; harvest the following summer. | Nov 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 3–Apr 28 | 263 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 14. | Jul 13 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 21. | Jun 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 31. | Aug 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Mar 24 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 10. | Jul 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 21. | Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Basil | Mar 3 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 10–Mar 31 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Parsley | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 14. | Aug 15 |
| Celery | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 207 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 14. | Jun 26 |
| Scallions | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Collards | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Chives | Jan 13 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Oregano | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 13 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Sage | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Cosmos | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Lavender | Jan 13 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Melons | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Mint | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 186 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 14. | Jul 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 21. | Jun 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 7. | Jul 25 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jul 6 |
| Watermelon | Mar 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jul 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Zinnias | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
Month by month in Salem
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 13), Lavender (Jan 13), Onion (Jan 13), Rosemary (Jan 13), Celery (Jan 27), Collards (Jan 27), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 10), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 10), Cabbage (Feb 10), Lettuce (Feb 10), Sage (Feb 10), Swiss Chard (Feb 10), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 10), Beets (Feb 10), Dill (Feb 10), Peas (Feb 10), Radish (Feb 10), Spinach (Feb 10), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 3), Tomato (Mar 3), Bok Choy (Mar 10), Corn (Mar 10), Cosmos (Mar 10), Nasturtiums (Mar 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 10), Turnip (Mar 10), Carrots (Mar 17), Potatoes (Mar 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 10), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 10), Cabbage (Mar 10), Collards (Mar 10), Kale (Mar 10), Lettuce (Mar 10), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 3). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 7), Beans (Apr 14), Pole Beans (Apr 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 7), Lavender (Apr 7), Marigolds (Apr 7), Mint (Apr 7), Nasturtiums (Apr 7), Zinnias (Apr 7), +23 more. Last frost around April 7. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 18), Pumpkin (Jun 18), Cantaloupe (Jun 26), Celery (Jun 26), Melons (Jun 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 28). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 1), Watermelon (Jul 1), Pepper (Jul 6), Tomatillos (Jul 6), Eggplant (Jul 11), Corn (Jul 13), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 4), Cosmos (Aug 4), Cucumber (Aug 4), Zinnias (Aug 4), Broccoli (Aug 5), Nasturtiums (Aug 9), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 4), Cilantro (Sep 4), Collards (Sep 8), Scallions (Sep 8), Bok Choy (Sep 9), Lettuce (Sep 9), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 31). First frost around October 31. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 21). |
| 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 Salem, OR (ZIP 97301)?
The median last spring frost date for Salem, OR (ZIP code 97301) is around April 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 March 13; one in ten it runs past May 4.
What is the first fall frost date in Salem, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Salem, OR is around October 31. 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 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salem, OR?
The frost-free growing season in Salem is about 207 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 Salem (207 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 Salem, OR?
Salem, 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 Salem, OR?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 3 and plant out Apr 21 in Salem. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salem?
Two: plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7.
When do I plant garlic in Salem?
Oct 31 to Nov 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Salem?
Yes: plant out Apr 21 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 1 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Salem, OR 97306 (8 mi)
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- Frost dates for Dallas, OR 97338 (16.3 mi)
- When to plant in Salem, 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
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