Frost dates and planting calendar
Brookings and Gold Beach, OR
The typical last spring frost in Brookings and Gold Beach is January 31, and the first fall frost is around December 27. Plant peas from Mar 25; plant tomatoes from May 20.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Brookings station. Where these dates come from
About Brookings and Gold Beach
Brookings and Gold Beach sit on Oregon's southern coast near the California line. Brookings is called Oregon's banana belt because warm east winds can lift winter days well above the rest of the coast, and farms around Brookings and Smith River, just over the California line, grow most of the country's Easter lily bulbs.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Mar 21
Tomatoes go out May 20 – Jun 17, once the soil is warm
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by Mar 21 and the first fall frost holds off until Nov 26.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Brookings and Gold Beach Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.
Gardening in the Oregon Coast. Cool, foggy summers and steady wind hold crops back more than frost does. Shelter warm crops from the wind, pick early, cool-tolerant varieties, and expect salt spray in gardens right by the shore.
Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Brookings and Gold Beach is January 31, but tomatoes wait until May 20, about 16 weeks later, because the soil and nights are still too cold for them. Why soil temperature matters.
How the season in Brookings and Gold Beach compares
With 330 frost-free days, Brookings and Gold Beach have the longest season of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover. The shortest is McCall at 72 days.
The typical last frost here, January 31, is the earliest of the towns we cover in the Oregon Coast: 21 days earlier than Coos Bay and North Bend and 81 days earlier than Tillamook.
Late frosts are harder to predict here than in most towns. There are 49 days between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10, against 19 for a typical town on this site, so keep frost cover handy until March 21.
The season is long enough for every warm crop on our list, even pumpkins and sweet potatoes, to finish from a normal planting date.
For a fall and winter garden, sow carrots by August 6 and set out kale plants by August 20. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (December 27 on average) and to shortening days.
Planting calendar
Pick a group to see when each plant goes in, or search for one.
Salad greens 7 plants
- SpinachPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 17
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 11–25
- Plant May 20 – Jun 24
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 9–30
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1–29
- Again for fall Jul 16–30
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Again for fall Sep 3–17
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant Jun 1–22
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Oct 1–31
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant Jun 1–22
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant Jun 1–22
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 1–15
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 22–29
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 22–29
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 22–29
- Plant May 20 – Jun 10
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 4–11
- Plant Jun 1–22
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 22–29
- Plant May 20 – Jun 10
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 20 – May 4
- Plant Jun 1–29
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Mar 25 – May 13
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 25 – May 6
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 25 – May 20
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 20 – Jun 17
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 8–22
- Plant May 20 – Jun 24
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Start seeds indoors
- Plant in the garden
- Plant again for fall
- Today
- Frost possible
- Frost likely
New to this? Read the beginner's guide or look up a term in the glossary.
ZIP codes that use these dates: 97415, 97444. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Brookings and Gold Beach come from the NOAA weather station in Brookings, at 80 feet. It's a NOAA cooperative station, not an airport station.
They're NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals: 30-year averages, not a forecast. How we pick each town's station.
Common questions about frost in Brookings and Gold Beach
When is the last frost in Brookings and Gold Beach?
January 31 in a typical year. Frost is over by March 21 in 9 years out of 10, Tender plants like tomatoes wait longer than that, for warm soil: see the tomato question below.
When is the first frost in Brookings and Gold Beach?
Around December 27. It comes as early as November 26 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Brookings and Gold Beach?
Set out tomato plants May 20 – Jun 17, after starting seeds indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8.
When should I plant garlic in Brookings and Gold Beach?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Brookings and Gold Beach?
About 330 frost-free days, one of the longest of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.