Frost dates for ZIP 97856 (Long Creek, 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, Long Creek, OR (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)99 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 97856 (Long Creek)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 97856, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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.
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
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of John Day 35 WNW (30 mi).
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of John Day 35 WNW (30 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 97856 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 62°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: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | May 16 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 25 |
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) | Aug 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 3 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 5 | Sep 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 13 | Oct 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 97856
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 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 | Apr 10–24 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 10–24 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 10–24 | May 15–Jun 5 (transplant) May 8–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 10–24 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) Jun 8–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 10–24 | May 8–Jun 5 (transplant) May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) Jun 8–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) | May 25–Jun 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 10–24 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 24–May 8 | May 22–Jun 12 (transplant) May 22–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | May 1–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 15–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 13–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 26–Jul 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 8–15 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 8–15 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 8–15 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 8–15 | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 8–15 | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 24–May 8 | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 13–27 | Jun 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 24–May 8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 22–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 15–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 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: Long Creek, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00355020), elevation 3,740 ft, 4.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument 2, OR | 15 mi | May 9 | Sep 27 |
| John Day, OR | 26 mi | May 28 | Sep 18 |
| Dayville 8 NW, OR | 30 mi | May 4 | Oct 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 32 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97856
When is the last frost in 97856?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97856 is June 5. For a more cautious planting date, use June 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97856?
The average first fall freeze is September 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 30.
What hardiness zone is 97856?
ZIP 97856 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 97856 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
97864 Monument 97865 Mount Vernon 97848 97880 Ukiah 97817 97845 John Day 97825 Dayville 97869 Prairie City
Other ZIP codes in Grant County
97817 97820 97825 97845 97848 97864 97865 97869 97873 97877 All Grant County frost dates · Oregon frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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.