Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Bend, OR

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring

As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.

While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.

Key dates for your spring planting:

  • By July 25, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around July 11, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before July 1, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them

If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.

In the Spring
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Last 16° Apr 25 Apr 12 Apr 2 Mar 25 Mar 17 Mar 10 Mar 1 Feb 20 Feb 6
Last 20° May 11 May 3 Apr 27 Apr 22 Apr 17 Apr 12 Apr 7 Apr 1 Mar 24
Last 24° May 27 May 20 May 15 May 11 May 8 May 4 Apr 30 Apr 25 Apr 18
Last 28° Jun 23 Jun 15 Jun 10 Jun 5 May 31 May 26 May 21 May 16 May 8
Last 32° Jul 14 Jul 7 Jul 2 Jun 28 Jun 24 Jun 21 Jun 17 Jun 12 Jun 5
Last 36° Jul 25 Jul 20 Jul 17 Jul 14 Jul 11 Jul 8 Jul 5 Jul 1 Jun 26

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Bend, OR, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.

The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:

1
Early warning: Around August 27, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By September 7, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By September 18, there's an 80% chance of seeing 32°F — most tender plants will be damaged without protection
4
Another perspective: You have only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past September 18 without a freezing night

These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.

In the Fall
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
First 16° Oct 20 Oct 30 Nov 7 Nov 13 Nov 19 Nov 25 Dec 1 Dec 9 Dec 19
First 20° Oct 2 Oct 10 Oct 16 Oct 21 Oct 26 Oct 31 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 20
First 24° Sep 23 Sep 29 Oct 3 Oct 7 Oct 10 Oct 14 Oct 17 Oct 21 Oct 27
First 28° Sep 7 Sep 12 Sep 16 Sep 19 Sep 21 Sep 24 Sep 27 Sep 30 Oct 5
First 32° Aug 21 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sep 3 Sep 7 Sep 10 Sep 14 Sep 18 Sep 24
First 36° Aug 5 Aug 11 Aug 16 Aug 19 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 30 Sep 3 Sep 9

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.