When to plant in Salem, OR
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Salem, Oregon — all computed from Salem's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 8b, Salem supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
The average last spring frost in Salem is now 15 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SALEM MCNARY FLD · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Salem’s own odds, recorded at SALEM MCNARY FLD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | Apr 30 | Apr 14 | Oct 2 | Oct 18 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F | Apr 27 | Apr 3 | Mar 10 | Oct 16 | Nov 1 | Nov 23 |
| 28°F | Mar 30 | Mar 2 | Jan 31 | Oct 30 | Nov 22 | Dec 17 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Salem, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 22 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Salem planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Salem, OR?
On average, the last spring frost in Salem is around April 3 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Salem, OR?
Expect Salem's first fall frost near November 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Salem in?
Salem is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Salem?
Salem has about 212 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Salem?
For Salem, sow tomatoes indoors about February 6–February 20 and move the seedlings out around April 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Salem
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Salem’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Four Corners · 4 km
- Hayesville · 7 km
- Keizer · 9 km
- Independence · 16 km
- Monmouth · 18 km
- Silverton · 21 km
- Dallas · 23 km
- Woodburn · 28 km
Frost dates recorded at SALEM MCNARY FLD, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Salem, OR — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024232. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/oregon/salem.