Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 97396 (Fort Hill, 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, Laurel Mtn, OR (13 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)157 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 (49 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 (49 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 97396 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
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 23: 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) | Apr 28 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 8 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 9 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 10 | Oct 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 20 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 27 | Nov 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 97396
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Oct 23). 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 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 11–25 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 11–25 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 20 (transplant) Apr 22–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 20 (transplant) Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 11–25 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 11–25 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jul 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 8–22 | May 6–27 (transplant) May 6–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 29–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 15–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jul 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 10–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 22–29 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 22–29 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 22–29 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 8–22 | Jun 3–17 (transplant) Jun 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 8–22 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 6–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 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: Laurel Mtn, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00354776), elevation 3,589 ft, 12.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas 2 NE, OR | 17 mi | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
| Cloverdale, OR | 18 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 22 |
| Otis 2 NE, OR | 19 mi | Apr 4 | Nov 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 65 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97396
When is the last frost in 97396?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97396 is May 20. For a more cautious planting date, use June 8, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97396?
The average first fall freeze is October 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 5.
What hardiness zone is 97396?
ZIP 97396 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 97396 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
97347 Grand Ronde 97378 Sheridan 97108 97122 Hebo 97128 McMinnville 97338 Dallas 97101 Amity 97344 Falls City
Other ZIP codes in Yamhill County
97101 97111 97114 97115 97127 97128 97132 97148 97347 97378 All Yamhill County frost dates · Oregon frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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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.