Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 97481 (Douglas County, 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, Roseburg Kqen, OR (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)237 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 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Coos Bay 8 SW (39 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Coos Bay 8 SW (39 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 97481 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 54°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 23–Oct 21
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 18: 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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 16 |
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 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 17 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 23 | Nov 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 20 | Dec 11 |
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 97481
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 18). 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 26–Feb 9 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 12–26 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 12–26 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 2–23 (transplant) Feb 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 9–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 9–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Feb 23–Mar 23 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 12–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 12–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–30 (transplant) Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 16–Mar 30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 9–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 23–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 23–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 23–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 23–Mar 2 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 23–Mar 2 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 9–23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (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: Roseburg Kqen, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00357331), elevation 425 ft, 12.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roseburg Rgnl AP, OR | 14 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| Riddle, OR | 15 mi | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Winchester, OR | 16 mi | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97481
When is the last frost in 97481?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97481 is March 23. For a more cautious planting date, use April 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97481?
The average first fall freeze is November 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 97481?
ZIP 97481 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 97481 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
97496 Winston 97432 Dillard 97471 Lookingglass 97416 97469 Riddle 97486 97495 Roseburg North 97457 Tri-City
Other ZIP codes in Douglas County
97410 97416 97417 97429 97432 97435 97436 97441 97442 97443 97447 97457 97462 97467 97469 97470 97471 97473 97479 97484 97486 97494 97495 97496 All Douglas 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.