McMinnville, OR planting zone & frost dates
McMinnville is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 5 and the first fall frost around November 7, for a growing season of about 216 days.
Planting calendar for McMinnville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 5) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 12 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 7).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 5 | Apr 5 | Apr 27 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 1 | Nov 7 | Oct 20 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 27, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in McMinnville
- 97128 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Newberg zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Keizer zone 8b, last frost Apr 3
- Hayesville zone 8b, last frost Apr 3
- Salem zone 8b, last frost Apr 3
- Dallas zone 8b, last frost Apr 16
- Forest Grove zone 8b, last frost Apr 16
- Cornelius zone 8b, last frost Apr 16
- Woodburn zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
Questions
What growing zone is McMinnville, OR?
McMinnville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in McMinnville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in McMinnville is April 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 27.
When can I plant tomatoes in McMinnville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 12 – Apr 19. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Mc Minnville, OR (USC00355384), 3.1 km (1.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 47 m, based on 15 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.