Frost dates and planting calendar
Prineville, OR
The typical last spring frost in Prineville is June 1, and the first fall frost is around September 22. Plant peas from Apr 20; plant tomatoes from Jun 1.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Prineville station. Where these dates come from
About Prineville
Prineville sits in the Crooked River valley at about 2,900 feet, east of Redmond. Ranches and irrigated hay fields fill the valley around town.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Jun 22
Tomatoes go out Jun 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 Jun 22 and the first fall frost holds off until Aug 31.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Prineville 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 Prineville compares
With 113 frost-free days, Prineville 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, June 1, is in the middle of the towns we cover in Central Oregon and the high desert: 13 days later than Madras and 10 days earlier than Burns.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 21 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 22.
Even here, winter squash, 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 28 – Aug 18
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 9–23
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Jul 28 – Aug 11
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Aug 4–25
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant Jun 1 – Jul 6
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 25
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant May 4 – Jun 8
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 4 – Jun 8
- Again for fall Jun 30 – Jul 14
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 4 – Jun 8
- Again for fall Jun 30 – Jul 14
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 4 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jun 23 – Jul 7
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 9–23
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant Apr 20 – May 25
- Again for fall Jul 28 – Aug 11
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 4
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jul 28 – Aug 18
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Again for fall Aug 11–25
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- Again for fall Jul 21 – Aug 4
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant Jun 8–29
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 8 – Jul 20
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 8 – Jul 13
Frost possible until about Jun 22: 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 8 – Jul 13
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 6–20
- Plant Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 30 – Apr 13
- Plant Jun 8–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 30 – Apr 13
- Plant Jun 8–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 6–20
- Plant Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 13–27
- Plant Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 4–11
- Plant Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 4–11
- Plant Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 4–11
- Plant Jun 1–22
Tight season: choose an early variety.
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 11–18
- Plant Jun 8–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors May 4–11
- Plant Jun 1–22
Tight season: choose an early variety.
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 27 – May 11
- Plant Jun 8 – Jul 6
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 8
- Again for fall Aug 4–18
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 9–23
- Plant May 4 – Jun 22
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jul 6
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 9–23
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 22
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 29
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant May 4 – Jun 22
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- 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 May 4 – Jun 22
- 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 May 4 – Jun 15
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 20 – Jun 1
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- 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 May 4 – Jun 29
- 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 Jun 1–29
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 8 – Jul 20
Frost possible until about Jun 22: 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 8 – Jul 20
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Sep 20 – Oct 20
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 27 – May 11
- Plant Jun 8 – Jul 20
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Jun 8 – Jul 20
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 20 – May 4
- Plant Jun 1 – Jul 6
Frost possible until about Jun 22: keep frost cover handy.
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 4 – Jun 22
- Again for fall Jul 14–28
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant May 4 – Jun 8
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
- Plant May 4 – Jun 15
- 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: 97754. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Prineville come from the NOAA weather station in Prineville, at 2,880 feet. It's the closest weather station to Prineville 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 Prineville
When is the last frost in Prineville?
June 1 in a typical year. Frost is over by June 22 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 Prineville?
Around September 22. It comes as early as August 31 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Prineville?
Set out tomato plants Jun 1–29, after starting seeds indoors Apr 6–20. Keep frost cover handy until about Jun 22.
When should I plant garlic in Prineville?
Plant garlic cloves Sep 20 – Oct 20, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Prineville?
About 113 frost-free days, one of the shortest of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.