Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Medford, OR
Plan your garden around Medford, OR's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 8
Safe Apr 30
Typical Apr 8
Risky Mar 17
First Fall Frost
October 29
Safe Oct 14
Typical Oct 29
Risky Nov 16
Growing Season
204 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8b
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station MEDFORD ROGUE VLY AP, OR US, 6.1 km away.
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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 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | 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 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 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 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 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 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — | 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 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — | 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 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 17 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 17 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Sep 17 – Sep 24 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 3 | 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 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Aug 20 – Aug 27 | 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 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | 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 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Sep 17 – Oct 1 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Oct 15 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | 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 | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 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 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 17 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | 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 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | 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 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | 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 Medford, OR?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the MEDFORD ROGUE VLY AP, OR US station, the last spring frost in Medford typically falls around April 8. A cautious gardener might wait until April 30 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 17 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Medford, OR in fall?
The first fall frost in Medford typically arrives around October 29. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 14; in milder years it can hold off until November 16.
How long is the growing season in Medford, OR?
Medford's average frost-free growing season is about 204 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 8) to the typical first fall frost (October 29).
What USDA hardiness zone is Medford, OR in?
Medford, OR is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.