Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for John Day, 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 4, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around June 13, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before May 31, 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° Mar 18 Mar 8 Mar 1 Feb 23 Feb 17 Feb 11 Feb 5 Jan 29 Jan 19
Last 20° Apr 13 Apr 4 Mar 28 Mar 23 Mar 18 Mar 12 Mar 7 Feb 28 Feb 19
Last 24° May 5 Apr 28 Apr 23 Apr 18 Apr 14 Apr 10 Apr 6 Mar 31 Mar 24
Last 28° May 22 May 15 May 10 May 6 May 2 Apr 27 Apr 23 Apr 18 Apr 11
Last 32° Jun 13 Jun 6 Jun 1 May 28 May 24 May 21 May 16 May 12 May 5
Last 36° Jul 4 Jun 27 Jun 22 Jun 17 Jun 13 Jun 9 Jun 5 May 31 May 24

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in John Day, 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 September 11, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By September 21, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By October 2, 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 October 2 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 31 Nov 8 Nov 14 Nov 20 Nov 24 Nov 29 Dec 4 Dec 10 Dec 18
First 20° Oct 17 Oct 23 Oct 28 Nov 1 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 12 Nov 17 Nov 24
First 24° Oct 5 Oct 10 Oct 14 Oct 17 Oct 20 Oct 23 Oct 26 Oct 30 Nov 4
First 28° Sep 18 Sep 24 Sep 28 Oct 2 Oct 5 Oct 9 Oct 12 Oct 17 Oct 23
First 32° Sep 6 Sep 11 Sep 15 Sep 18 Sep 21 Sep 24 Sep 28 Oct 2 Oct 7
First 36° Aug 22 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sep 3 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 12 Sep 16 Sep 21

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

Or enter a new zipcode:

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