Frost dates for ZIP 97215 (Portland, 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, Portland WFO, OR (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)251 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 97215 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring March to April.
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
- Lettuce: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 18
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 18
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 25
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 22: 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 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 5 |
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) | Nov 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 13 | Nov 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 12 | Dec 10 |
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 97215
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 22). 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 16–30 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 2–16 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 2–16 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 16–30 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 16–30 | Feb 20–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 18 (transplant) Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 2–16 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 2–16 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Feb 27–Mar 20 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 6–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 13–20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 13–20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Mar 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (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: Portland WFO, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00356750), elevation 21 ft, 4.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Kgw-tv, OR | 4 mi | Feb 25 | Dec 1 |
| Portland Intl AP, OR | 5 mi | Mar 13 | Nov 19 |
| Vancouver Pearson AP, WA | 8 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 35 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97215
When is the last frost in 97215?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97215 is March 13. For a more cautious planting date, use April 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97215?
The average first fall freeze is November 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 97215?
ZIP 97215 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 97215 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
97213 Portland 97216 Portland 97214 Portland 97206 Portland 97232 Portland 97266 Portland 97212 Portland 97220 Portland
Other ZIP codes in Multnomah County
97019 97024 97030 97060 97080 97201 97202 97203 97204 97205 97206 97208 97209 97210 97211 97212 97213 97214 97216 97217 97218 97219 97220 97221 All Multnomah County frost dates · Oregon frost dates
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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.