When is the last frost in Salem, OR?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Salem is around April 3, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Salem Mcnary Fld, OR station (8.7 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Salem?

The average first fall frost in Salem, OR is around November 1, giving roughly a 212-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Salem, OR?

Salem is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Salem?

In Salem, OR the warmest month is August (avg high 80°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 34.7°F). It averages about 47.2″ of precipitation a year and 1.1″ of snow.

Home › Oregon › Salem

Salem, OR Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 97303 · elevation 124′ · NOAA & USDA data

Salem is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 212 days between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 1). The warmest month is August (avg high 80°F); the coldest is December (avg low 34.7°F). It averages 47.2″ of precipitation a year and 1.1″ 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

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

April 3

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 1

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

212 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 80°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Salem

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Silverton, OR (12.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	46.5	35.1	40.8	6.7	0.1
February	50.2	35.8	43	4.9	0.8
March	54.7	38.3	46.5	5.5	0
April	59.5	41.5	50.5	4.2	0
May	66.5	47	56.7	2.9	0
June	71.7	51.3	61.5	1.8	0
July	79.7	55.5	67.6	0.4	0
August	80	55.6	67.8	0.5	0
September	74.3	51.7	63	1.7	0
October	62.5	44.8	53.7	4.2	0
November	51.9	38.9	45.4	7	0
December	45.5	34.7	40.1	7.5	0.2

What to plant when in Salem

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 20 · Transplant out: April 10
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 6 · Transplant out: April 17
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 10
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 10
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 10
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 10
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 10
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 27 · Sow (fall): September 6
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 6
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): September 6
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 23
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 20
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 23
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 6
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 20
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): September 20

Dates are computed from Salem'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

Albany, OR Hillsboro, OR Lake Oswego, OR Beaverton, OR Corvallis, OR Portland, OR Gresham, OR Eugene, 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 — Salem Mcnary Fld, OR, 8.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Silverton, OR, 12.3 mi (confidence: medium). 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.