Pendleton, OR planting zone & frost dates

Pendleton is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 22 and the first fall frost around October 9, for a growing season of about 170 days.

USDA hardiness zone7aavg. extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F

Average last spring frostApril 2290% chance of no frost after May 8

Average first fall frostOctober 910% chance of frost by September 27

Growing season170 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Pendleton

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 22) 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 25 – Mar 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 9).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 3	Apr 22	May 8
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Oct 26	Oct 9	Sep 27

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Pendleton

97801 zone 7a

Nearby cities

Hermiston zone 7b, last frost Apr 26
La Grande zone 6b, last frost May 6
The Dalles zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
Ontario zone 7a, last frost Apr 22
Redmond zone 6b, last frost Jun 9
Bend zone 6b, last frost Jun 6
Sandy zone 8b, last frost Mar 27
Troutdale zone 9a, last frost Mar 26

All cities in Oregon → · Other zone 7a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Pendleton?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Pendleton is April 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 8.

When can I plant tomatoes in Pendleton?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 29 – May 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Pendleton Dwtn, OR (USC00356541), 0.6 km (0.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 317 m, based on 25 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.