Hood River Exp Stn, OR Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
176 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 29 Apr 20 May 9
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 13 Sep 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 20 · first Oct 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HOOD RVR EXP STN 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 Hood River Exp Stn

Computed from Hood River Exp Stn's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 23 – Mar 9 Apr 27 – May 4
🫑 Peppers Feb 9 – Feb 23 May 4 – May 11
🥬 Lettuce Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6 Mar 23 – Apr 20
🫛 Peas Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥕 Carrots Mar 30 – Apr 20
🥦 Broccoli Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 30 – Apr 13
🥬 Kale Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6 Mar 23 – Apr 6
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 23 – Mar 30 Apr 27 – May 4 Apr 27 – May 4
🥒 Zucchini Mar 23 – Mar 30 Apr 27 – May 4 Apr 27 – May 4
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 27 – May 4
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 27 – May 4
🌿 Basil Mar 9 – Mar 23 Apr 27 – May 4 May 4 – May 11
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 1 – Sep 29

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 Hood River Exp Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hood River Exp Stn

Roughly 176 frost-free days gives Hood River Exp Stn gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 20; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 13 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hood River Exp Stn, OR?

The average last spring frost in Hood River Exp Stn is around Apr 20, 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 Hood River Exp Stn, OR?

The average first fall frost in Hood River Exp Stn arrives around Oct 13. 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 Hood River Exp Stn?

About 176 frost-free days on average, from Apr 20 to Oct 13. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Hood River Exp Stn in?

USDA zone 7a 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.