Frost dates and planting calendar
Burns, OR
The typical last spring frost in Burns is June 11, and the first fall frost is around September 6. Plant peas from Apr 30; plant tomatoes from Jun 11.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Burns Municipal Airport station. Where these dates come from
About Burns
Burns sits at about 4,100 feet in the Harney Basin of Oregon's high desert. It gets only about 10 inches of rain a year, and cattle ranching and hay are the main farming.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Jun 28
Tomatoes go out Jun 11 – Jul 9, under frost cover at first
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by Jun 28 and the first fall frost holds off until Aug 21.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Burns Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
High desert. Central Oregon, the high, cold valleys of eastern Oregon, and Idaho mountain towns like McCall and Salmon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.
Gardening in Central Oregon and the high desert. Many gardens here are on light, volcanic pumice soil that drains fast and holds few nutrients, so add compost every year and water often. Nights stay cold even in summer, so keep row covers handy for warm crops.
How the season in Burns compares
With 87 frost-free days, Burns has the 85th-longest season of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover. They run from 72 days in McCall to 330 days in Brookings and Gold Beach.
The typical last frost here, June 11, is the latest of the towns we cover in Central Oregon and the high desert: 23 days later than Madras and 2 days later than Bend and Redmond.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 17 days, about average for the towns on this site. Frost after the typical date still happens about half the time, so plan on covering warm crops until June 28.
The season is too short for winter squash, dahlias, melons, sweet potatoes and pumpkins to finish from a normal planting date. Grow short-season varieties, start them indoors early, or use a cold frame or row cover to buy time. Sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, basil, eggplant, pole beans, sunflowers, tomatillos, zinnias, ground cherries and cosmos also need most of the season.
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 Apr 30 – Jun 4
- Again for fall Jul 12 – Aug 2
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Again for fall Jul 12–26
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 19 – Aug 9
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 16
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- Again for fall Jul 5 – Aug 9
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 14 – Jun 18
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9
- Plant May 14 – Jun 18
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9
- Plant May 14 – Jun 18
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9
- Plant May 14 – Jun 11
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- Again for fall Jul 12–26
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 12 – Aug 2
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 5–19
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 9
Short season here: use transplants, a fast variety and row cover.
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 30
Frost possible until about Jun 28: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 23
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 23
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 16–30
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 9–23
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 9
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 9–23
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 9
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 16–30
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 23 – May 7
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Tight season: choose an early variety.
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 14–21
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Frost possible until about Jun 28: keep frost cover handy.
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 14–21
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Frost possible until about Jun 28: keep frost cover handy.
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 14–21
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 2
Short season here: use transplants, a fast variety and row cover.
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 21–28
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 9
Short season here: use transplants, a fast variety and row cover.
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 14–21
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 2
Short season here: use transplants, a fast variety and row cover.
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors May 7–21
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 16
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- Again for fall Jul 19 – Aug 2
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant May 14 – Jul 2
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jul 16
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 2
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant May 14 – Jul 2
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant May 14 – Jul 2
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant May 14 – Jul 9
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 9
Short season here: use transplants, a fast variety and row cover.
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 30
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 30
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 7–21
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 30
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 18 – Jul 30
Frost possible until about Jun 28: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 30 – May 14
- Plant Jun 11 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 28: keep frost cover handy.
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 14 – Jul 2
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant May 14 – Jun 18
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 5–19
- Plant May 14 – Jun 25
- 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: 97720, 97738. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Burns come from the NOAA weather station at Burns Municipal Airport, about 5 miles east of Burns, at 4,140 feet. It's the closest weather station to Burns with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. It's an airport station, out on open ground, so a garden in town, on a slope or in a low spot can run a few days earlier or later.
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 Burns
When is the last frost in Burns?
June 11 in a typical year. Frost is over by June 28 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 Burns?
Around September 6. It comes as early as August 21 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Burns?
Set out tomato plants Jun 11 – Jul 9, after starting seeds indoors Apr 16–30. Keep frost cover handy until about Jun 28. The season is short here, so pick an early variety.
When should I plant garlic in Burns?
Plant garlic cloves Sep 20 – Oct 20, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Burns?
About 87 frost-free days, one of the shortest of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.