Frost dates for ZIP 97338 (Dallas, OR)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Dallas 2 NE, OR (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)199 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 97338 (Dallas)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 97338, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Corvallis 10 SSW (36 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Corvallis 10 SSW (36 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 97338 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Pacific Northwest (west of the Cascades). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 1: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 5 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 6 | Oct 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 16 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 7 | Nov 20 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 97338
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Nov 1). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 16 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) Jul 26–Aug 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 16 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) Jul 26–Aug 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 5–19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 5–19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–23 (transplant) Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 12–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 19–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 5–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Jul 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 19–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 19–26 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 19–26 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 22–Feb 5 | Apr 23–30 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 5–19 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 5–19 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Dallas 2 NE, OR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00352112), elevation 290 ft, 2.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls City 2 SSW, OR | 9 mi | Apr 18 | Nov 7 |
| Laurel Mtn, OR | 12 mi | May 20 | Oct 23 |
| Salem Mcnary Fld, OR | 17 mi | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 48 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 97338
When is the last frost in 97338?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 97338 is April 16. For a more cautious planting date, use May 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 97338?
The average first fall freeze is November 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 13.
What hardiness zone is 97338?
ZIP 97338 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 97338 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
97344 Falls City 97371 Rickreall 97361 Monmouth 97378 Sheridan 97101 Amity 97304 Salem 97351 Independence 97306 Salem
Other ZIP codes in Polk County
97304 97344 97351 97361 97371 All Polk County frost dates · Oregon frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.