Frost dates and planting calendar
Hood River, OR
The typical last spring frost in Hood River is April 20, and the first fall frost is around October 13. Plant peas from Mar 20; plant tomatoes from May 1.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Hood River station. Where these dates come from
About Hood River
Hood River sits where the Hood River meets the Columbia, in the Columbia River Gorge. The valley south of town is one of the country's best-known pear-growing areas, with apple and cherry orchards too. The Gorge is famous for its steady summer wind, which dries out beds fast.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 9
Tomatoes go out May 1–29, under frost cover at first
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 9 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 Hood River Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
East-side valleys. The Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, Boise's Treasure Valley, Lewiston and other low valleys east of the Cascades. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.
Gardening in the Columbia Gorge and eastern Oregon. Summers are hot and dry, so plan on irrigation. In the Columbia Gorge, steady wind dries plants out quickly, so stake tall crops and use windbreaks; the higher valleys around La Grande, Baker City and Joseph have shorter seasons.
How the season in Hood River compares
With 176 frost-free days, Hood River has the 46th-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 20, is in the middle of the towns we cover in the Columbia Gorge and eastern Oregon: 9 days later than The Dalles and 38 days earlier than John Day.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 19 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 9.
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 4 and set out kale plants by August 18. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (October 13 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 20 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 18 – Sep 8
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 6–20
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Again for fall Aug 18 – Sep 1
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 25 – Sep 15
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
- Plant May 1 – Jun 5
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 11 – Sep 15
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 7–28
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 4
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 4
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1–29
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
- Again for fall Aug 18 – Sep 1
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 11–25
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 18 – Sep 8
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Again for fall Sep 1–15
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 4
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 11–25
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant May 10–31
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 8
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 1
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 1
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 1–15
- Plant May 10–31
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 1–15
- Plant May 10–31
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 13–27
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–10
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–10
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–10
- Plant May 1–22
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 12–19
- Plant May 10–31
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–10
- Plant May 1–22
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
- Plant May 10 – Jun 7
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 25 – Sep 8
- 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 20 – May 8
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 20 – May 1
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 20 – May 15
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 1–29
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 8
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 8
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 8
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 27 – Jun 8
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 1 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 9: keep frost cover handy.
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- 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: 97031, 97014. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Hood River come from NOAA's Hood River weather station, about 1 mile south of Hood River, at 500 feet. It's the closest weather station to Hood River 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 Hood River
When is the last frost in Hood River?
April 20 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 9 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 Hood River?
Around October 13. It comes as early as September 30 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Hood River?
Set out tomato plants May 1–29, after starting seeds indoors Mar 6–20. Keep frost cover handy until about May 9.
When should I plant garlic in Hood River?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 1, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Hood River?
About 176 frost-free days, shorter than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.