Frost Dates for Salem, OR 97302
Salem has 8 ZIP codes. The Salem, OR frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 22 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 97302 has about 40,800 people, one of 8 ZIP codes in Salem.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 19 (45 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–November 12 (42 days).
Frost probability for 97302
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 19 | April 28 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 22 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SALEM AP (MCNARY FIELD) (5.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Salem
In Salem (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 24 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 12. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 12. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 7. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 3. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 31. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 31. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 5. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 12. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 21. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 31. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 12. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 12. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 12. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 12. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after May 5. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 12. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 28. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 5. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 5. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Salem
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. |
| June | 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 Salem, OR (ZIP 97302)?
The median last spring frost date for Salem, OR (ZIP code 97302) is around April 28. 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 4; one in ten it runs past May 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Salem, OR?
The median first fall frost date for Salem, 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 1 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 177 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 (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 24 and plant out May 12 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 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Salem?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Salem (ZIP 97301) has 207 frost-free days, 30 more than Salem (ZIP 97302). See Salem ZIP 97301 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Salem, OR 97306 (3.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Salem, OR 97301 (4.5 mi)
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- Frost dates for Monmouth, OR 97361 (15.6 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
- Look up another ZIP