Bend, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bend garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jun 6
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
106 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 17 Jun 6 Jun 22
First fall frost Oct 5 Sep 20 Sep 3
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 11 · first Oct 4

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Bend station (2 km from central Bend). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bend

Computed from Bend's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 11 – Apr 25 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🫑 Peppers Mar 28 – Apr 11 Jun 20 – Jun 27
🥬 Lettuce Apr 25 – May 9 May 9 – May 23 May 9 – Jun 6
🫛 Peas Apr 25 – May 9
🥕 Carrots May 16 – Jun 6
🥦 Broccoli Apr 18 – May 2 May 16 – May 30
🥬 Kale Apr 25 – May 9 May 9 – May 23 May 9 – May 23
🥒 Cucumbers May 9 – May 16 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🥒 Zucchini May 9 – May 16 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 13 – Jun 20
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 13 – Jun 20
🌿 Basil Apr 25 – May 9 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 20 – Jun 27
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 9 – Sep 6

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bend's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bend

At about 106 frost-free days, Bend rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bend, OR?

The average last spring frost in Bend is around Jun 6, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bend, OR?

The average first fall frost in Bend arrives around Sep 20. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bend?

About 106 frost-free days on average, from Jun 6 to Sep 20. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Bend in?

USDA zone 6b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.