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Medford, OR Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 97504 · elevation 395′ · NOAA & USDA data

Medford is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 204 days between the average last spring frost (April 8) and first fall frost (October 29). The warmest month is July (avg high 91.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 32.5°F). It averages 18.4″ of precipitation a year and 3.4″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8b
min temp 15 to 20°F
Last spring frost
April 8
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
October 29
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
204 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 91.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Medford

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR (5.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 48.2 32.5 40.4 2.7 1
February 54.2 33.9 44.1 2 1.2
March 59.4 37.2 48.3 1.8 0.2
April 64.6 41 52.8 1.5 0
May 73.9 46.9 60.4 1.3 0
June 81.5 52.3 66.9 0.7 0
July 91.6 58.6 75.1 0.2 0
August 91.1 57.9 74.5 0.3 0
September 84.3 51.2 67.7 0.5 0
October 70.1 42.1 56.1 1.2 0
November 54 36.4 45.2 2.6 0.1
December 46.1 32.6 39.4 3.5 0.9

What to plant when in Medford

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 25 · Transplant out: April 15
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: February 11 · Transplant out: April 22
CucumberswarmDirect sow: April 15
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: April 15
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: April 15
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: April 15
BasilwarmTransplant out: April 15
PeascoolSow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 3
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): September 3
LettucecoolSow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): September 3
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 20
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 25
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 20
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): March 11
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 25
RadishescoolSow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): September 17

Dates are computed from Medford's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Oregon

Springfield, OREugene, ORBend, ORCorvallis, ORAlbany, ORSalem, ORLake Oswego, ORHillsboro, OR

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR, 5.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Medford Rogue Vly Ap, OR, 5.3 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.