Frost dates and planting calendar
Cottage Grove, OR
The typical last spring frost in Cottage Grove is April 24, and the first fall frost is around October 25. Plant peas from Mar 13; plant tomatoes from May 15.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Cottage Grove station. Where these dates come from
About Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove sits at the south end of the Willamette Valley, where the valley narrows into the hills. It calls itself the Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon, with six covered bridges nearby.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 10
Tomatoes go out May 15 – Jun 12, once the soil is warm
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 10 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 30.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Cottage Grove Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.
Gardening in the Willamette Valley. Valley-floor soils are often heavy clay that stays wet into spring, so raised beds help early crops. Slugs thrive in the long rainy season, and the summers are dry: water deeply from July until the fall rains return.
Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Cottage Grove is April 24, but tomatoes wait until May 15, about 3 weeks later, because the soil is still too cold for them to grow. Why soil temperature matters.
How the season in Cottage Grove compares
With 184 frost-free days, Cottage Grove has the 40th-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, April 24, is the latest of the towns we cover in the Willamette Valley: 21 days later than Salem and 9 days later than McMinnville and Newberg.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 16 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 May 10.
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 (October 25 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 13 – Apr 17
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 17
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 17
- Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Jul 9–30
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 6–20
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 6–20
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 6–20
- Plant Mar 27 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Jul 16–30
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 6–20
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 17
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Again for fall Sep 3–17
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 17
- Again for fall Oct 1–31
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 27 – May 4
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 13–27
- Plant May 25 – Jun 22
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 29
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Mar 13 – May 1
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 24
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 13 – May 8
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 13 – Apr 17
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 16–30
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- 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: 97424. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Cottage Grove come from NOAA's Cottage Grove weather station, about 2 miles east of Cottage Grove, at 590 feet. It's the closest weather station to Cottage Grove with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. 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 Cottage Grove
When is the last frost in Cottage Grove?
April 24 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 10 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 Cottage Grove?
Around October 25. It comes as early as September 30 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cottage Grove?
Set out tomato plants May 15 – Jun 12, after starting seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3.
When should I plant garlic in Cottage Grove?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Cottage Grove?
About 184 frost-free days, longer than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.