Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 97020 (Donald, OR)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Aurora State AP, OR (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)242 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Corvallis 10 SSW (60 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Corvallis 10 SSW (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 97020 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Pacific Northwest (west of the Cascades). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 14: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 27 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 16 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 15 | Dec 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 97020
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 14). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 5–19 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 5–19 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 23–Mar 16 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 16 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 5–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 5–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–23 (transplant) Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 9–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 16–23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 16–23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Mar 23–30 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 2–16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Aurora State AP, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00094281), elevation 196 ft, 3.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Willamette EXP STN, OR | 6 mi | Mar 18 | Nov 13 |
| Rex 1 S, OR | 7 mi | Mar 21 | Nov 22 |
| Mcminnville Muni AP, OR | 14 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 30 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97020
When is the last frost in 97020?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97020 is March 16. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97020?
The average first fall freeze is November 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 27.
What hardiness zone is 97020?
ZIP 97020 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 97020 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
97002 Butteville 97032 Hubbard 97137 St. Paul 97071 Woodburn 97070 Wilsonville 97013 Canby 97140 Sherwood 97026 Gervais
Other ZIP codes in Marion County
97002 97026 97032 97071 97137 97301 97302 97303 97305 97306 97310 97317 97325 97342 97346 97352 97358 97362 97373 97375 97381 97383 97384 97385 All Marion County frost dates · Oregon frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.