Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Baker City, OR
Plan your garden around Baker City, OR's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 25
Safe Jun 16
Typical May 25
Risky May 9
First Fall Frost
September 15
Safe Sep 2
Typical Sep 15
Risky Oct 1
Growing Season
111 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 6b
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station BAKER CITY MUNI AP, OR US, 7.8 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 11 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | May 4 – May 11 | Jul 14 – Jul 21 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | May 11 – May 18 | Jul 7 – Jul 14 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 18 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 18 – Sep 1 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 18 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 4 – May 18 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | May 25 – Jun 1 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | May 25 – Jun 1 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Baker City, OR?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the BAKER CITY MUNI AP, OR US station, the last spring frost in Baker City typically falls around May 25. A cautious gardener might wait until June 16 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 9 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Baker City, OR in fall?
The first fall frost in Baker City typically arrives around September 15. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 2; in milder years it can hold off until October 1.
How long is the growing season in Baker City, OR?
Baker City's average frost-free growing season is about 111 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 25) to the typical first fall frost (September 15).
What USDA hardiness zone is Baker City, OR in?
Baker City, OR is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.