Foster Dam, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
199 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 16 Apr 12 May 5
First fall frost Nov 21 Oct 28 Oct 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 9 · first Nov 18

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FOSTER DAM station. "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 Foster Dam

Computed from Foster Dam's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫑 Peppers Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 26 – May 3
🥬 Lettuce Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Apr 12
🫛 Peas Mar 1 – Mar 15
🥕 Carrots Mar 22 – Apr 12
🥦 Broccoli Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥬 Kale Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🥒 Zucchini Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌿 Basil Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 26 – May 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 16 – Oct 14

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 Foster Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Foster Dam

Roughly 199 frost-free days gives Foster Dam gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 12; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 28 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Foster Dam, OR?

The average last spring frost in Foster Dam is around Apr 12, 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 Foster Dam, OR?

The average first fall frost in Foster Dam arrives around Oct 28. 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 Foster Dam?

About 199 frost-free days on average, from Apr 12 to Oct 28. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Foster Dam in?

USDA zone 8b 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.