Frost dates and planting calendar
Hillsboro and Beaverton, OR
The typical last spring frost in Hillsboro and Beaverton is April 16, and the first fall frost is around October 23. Plant peas from Mar 5; plant tomatoes from May 15.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Portland-Hillsboro Airport station. Where these dates come from
About Hillsboro and Beaverton
Hillsboro and Beaverton sit in the Tualatin Valley, west of the hills that separate it from Portland. Cold air settles on the valley floor on clear nights, which is why Hillsboro's typical last frost comes about a month after the Portland airport's.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 3
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 3 and the first fall frost holds off until Oct 3.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Hillsboro and Beaverton 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 Portland area. Much of the Portland area sits on heavy clay that stays cold and soggy into spring, so raised beds or mounded rows drain and warm up weeks sooner. Slugs are the main pest from fall through spring, and summers are dry enough that beds need regular watering from July.
Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Hillsboro and Beaverton is April 16, but tomatoes wait until May 15, about 4 weeks later, because the soil is still too cold for them to grow. Why soil temperature matters.
How the season in Hillsboro and Beaverton compares
With 190 frost-free days, Hillsboro and Beaverton have the 36th-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 16, is the latest of the towns we cover in the Portland area: 34 days later than Portland and 6 days later than St. Helens and Scappoose.
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 May 3.
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 23 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 5 – Apr 9
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 16
- 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 5 – Apr 9
- Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 5–19
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 23
- Again for fall Jul 9–30
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 5–19
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 23
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 23
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 16
- Again for fall Jul 16–30
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 9
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 5–19
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 5–19
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 16
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Again for fall Sep 3–17
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 16
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- 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 5 – Apr 16
- 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 5 – Apr 9
- 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 5 – Apr 23
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
- Plant Mar 19 – May 7
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 19 – May 21
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 7
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Mar 19 – May 7
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 23
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Mar 19 – May 7
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 16
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 16
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Mar 19 – May 14
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 5 – Apr 30
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 5 – Apr 9
- 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 19 – May 7
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 23
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 8–22
- Plant Mar 19 – Apr 30
- 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: 97123, 97124, 97006, 97003, 97005, 97007, 97008, 97113, 97116. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Hillsboro and Beaverton come from the NOAA weather station at Portland-Hillsboro Airport, about 2 miles northeast of Hillsboro and about 9 miles northwest of Beaverton, at 200 feet. 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 Hillsboro and Beaverton
When is the last frost in Hillsboro and Beaverton?
April 16 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 3 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 Hillsboro and Beaverton?
Around October 23. It comes as early as October 3 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Hillsboro and Beaverton?
Set out tomato plants May 15 – Jun 12, after starting seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3.
When should I plant garlic in Hillsboro and Beaverton?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Hillsboro and Beaverton?
About 190 frost-free days, longer than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.