Frost dates and planting calendar
John Day, OR
The typical last spring frost in John Day is May 28, and the first fall frost is around September 18. Plant peas from Apr 20; plant tomatoes from May 28.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, John Day station. Where these dates come from
About John Day
John Day sits at about 3,100 feet on the John Day River in Grant County, one of Oregon's least populated counties. Ranching and hay are the main farming.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Jun 15
Tomatoes go out May 28 – Jun 25, under frost cover at first
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by Jun 15 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 2.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for John Day 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 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 John Day compares
With 113 frost-free days, John Day has the 79th-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, May 28, is the latest of the towns we cover in the Columbia Gorge and eastern Oregon: 47 days later than The Dalles and 3 days later than Baker City.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 18 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 15.
Even here, winter squash, melons, sweet potatoes and pumpkins need nearly the whole season, so plant them on time and pick shorter-season varieties when you can.
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 20 – May 25
- Again for fall Jul 24 – Aug 14
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 9–23
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Jul 24 – Aug 7
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Again for fall Jul 10–24
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jul 31 – Aug 21
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant May 28 – Jul 2
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
- Again for fall Jul 17 – Aug 21
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 10–24
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 12–26
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- Again for fall Jun 26 – Jul 10
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 12–26
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- Again for fall Jun 26 – Jul 10
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 12–26
- Plant Apr 30 – May 28
- Again for fall Jun 19 – Jul 3
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 5–19
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
- Again for fall Jul 24 – Aug 7
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 17–31
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Again for fall Jul 10–24
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jul 24 – Aug 14
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Aug 7–21
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Again for fall Jul 10–24
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jul 17–31
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant Jun 5–26
Tight season: choose an early variety.
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 9
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 9
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
- Plant Jun 5–26
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
- Plant Jun 5–26
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 2–16
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 9–23
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 30 – May 7
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 30 – May 7
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 30 – May 7
- Plant May 28 – Jun 18
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 8–15
- Plant Jun 5–26
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 30 – May 7
- Plant May 28 – Jun 18
Tight season: choose an early variety.
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 24 – May 8
- Plant Jun 5 – Jul 3
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 8
- Again for fall Jul 31 – Aug 14
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 5–19
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jul 2
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 5–19
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 8
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 28 – Jun 25
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 23 – May 7
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 4 – Jul 16
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 16–30
- Plant May 28 – Jul 2
Frost possible until about Jun 15: keep frost cover handy.
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 18
- Again for fall Jul 10–24
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 4
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
- Plant Apr 30 – Jun 11
- 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: 97845, 97820, 97869, 97865. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for John Day come from the NOAA weather station in John Day, at 3,060 feet. It's the closest weather station to John Day 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 John Day
When is the last frost in John Day?
May 28 in a typical year. Frost is over by June 15 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 John Day?
Around September 18. It comes as early as September 2 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in John Day?
Set out tomato plants May 28 – Jun 25, after starting seeds indoors Apr 2–16. Keep frost cover handy until about Jun 15.
When should I plant garlic in John Day?
Plant garlic cloves Sep 20 – Oct 20, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in John Day?
About 113 frost-free days, one of the shortest of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.