Portland, OR Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Portland

In October:

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 8)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 18)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Feb 25, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 6 (30%), safe = Mar 21 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Frost odds aren't the only check. CSU recommends measuring soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before you sow. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so we list each crop's minimum soil temperature from CSU instead of a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Portland

What to plant in Portland in January

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 2–16)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 19 – Jan 2)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 19 – Jan 2)

What to plant in Portland in February

• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)

What to plant in Portland in March

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 28 – Mar 7)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 11 – Mar 21)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Feb 25 – Mar 21)

What to plant in Portland in April

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Apr 18 – May 2)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 11 – Apr 4)

What to plant in Portland in May

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Apr 18 – May 2)

What to plant in Portland in June

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Jun 6)

What to plant in Portland in July

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 6–20)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 26 – Aug 9)

What to plant in Portland in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 24)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 26 – Aug 9)

What to plant in Portland in September

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Sep 4)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Sep 8)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Sep 9)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 13)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 13)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 14)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 18)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 18)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 18)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 18)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 28)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 28)

What to plant in Portland in October

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 8)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 18)

What to plant in Portland in December

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 19 – Jan 2)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 19 – Jan 2)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Portland

Very tender crop. Set tomatoes out about Jun 6, whichever risk level you go by. That date comes from CSU Extension's night rule (nights above 52°F): the average nightly low at Portland KGW-TV first rises above 52°F on Jun 6. CSU's other rule, at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, would allow about Mar 11 in Portland. Sow seeds indoors Apr 18 – May 2, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Jun 6. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Portland KGW-TV reaches 55°F on Jun 27. Set out on Jun 6, tomato plants would start producing around Aug 10, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 113 days before the typical first frost (Dec 1).

When to plant peppers in Portland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 11 using the typical date, Mar 20 as a balanced choice, or Apr 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Mar 20. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Portland KGW-TV climbs to 55°F on Jun 27. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Mar 20 would start producing around May 29. That's 186 days before the typical first frost (Dec 1).

When to plant potatoes in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In Portland, that's roughly Feb 11–25 going by the typical date, or Mar 7–21 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Portland, that's roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 going by the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 in Portland using the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 13, or by Aug 23 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Portland, that's roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 going by the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 18, or by Aug 28 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 11–25 in Portland (typical date) or Mar 7–21 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 8 (Aug 18 to be safe), which is 84 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Portland

Tender crop. Sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, per CSU: about Feb 25 in Portland. Waiting until Mar 21 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Sep 4 (Aug 14 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Portland

Tender crop. CSU's timing for summer squash is around the average last frost, which is about Feb 25 in Portland. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 21. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 14, or by Aug 24 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Portland

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Portland, that works out to roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 (typical date) or Feb 21 – Mar 7 (safer date). Set out on Feb 6, broccoli plants would start producing around Apr 12, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 233 days before the typical first frost (Dec 1). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Sep 13 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Dec 1, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jul 26 – Aug 9, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 in Portland using the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Using CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest, cabbage plants set out on Feb 6 would start producing around May 2. That's 213 days before the typical first frost (Dec 1). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Aug 24. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Dec 1) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 6–20 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Portland, that's roughly Feb 11–25 by the typical date or Mar 7–21 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Portland

Hardy crop. Per CSU, kohlrabi can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Portland, that works out to roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 (typical date) or Feb 21 – Mar 7 (safer date). For fall, sow by Sep 28 (Sep 7 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 in Portland using the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, sow by Sep 18 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Portland

Hardy crop. Per CSU, radishes can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Portland, that works out to roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 (typical date) or Feb 21 – Mar 7 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Oct 18, or by Sep 27 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Portland, that's roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 going by the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 8 (Sep 17 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Portland

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 28 – Feb 11 in Portland using the typical date, or Feb 21 – Mar 7 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 28, or by Sep 7 to be safe.

When to plant beets in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 11–25 in Portland (typical date) or Mar 7–21 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 18 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting swiss chard as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Portland, that's roughly Feb 11–25 by the typical date or Mar 7–21 by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 18 (Aug 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Portland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For Portland, that's roughly Feb 11–25 by the typical date or Mar 7–21 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Portland

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Feb 25 in Portland. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 21. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Portland

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Feb 25 in Portland. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 21. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, sow by Sep 9 (Aug 19 to be safe), which is 83 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Portland

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set eggplant out around Mar 11 with the typical date, Mar 20 for a balanced choice, or Apr 4 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Jan 16 – Feb 6, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Mar 20. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on Mar 20 would start producing around May 19. That's 196 days before the typical first frost (Dec 1).

When to plant cantaloupe in Portland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 11 using the typical date, Mar 20 as a balanced choice, or Apr 4 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Portland

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant watermelon around Mar 11 at the earliest, Mar 20 as a balanced choice, or Apr 4 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Portland

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant winter squash around Mar 11 at the earliest, Mar 20 as a balanced choice, or Apr 4 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Portland?

Sow tomatoes indoors Apr 18 – May 2 and peppers Jan 23 – Feb 6. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Portland?

About Jun 6, at every risk level. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Mar 11 here) and nights above 52°F. At Portland KGW-TV, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on Jun 6, later than the frost-rule date, so the night rule sets the date.

What can I plant in Portland in the fall?

Counting back from the typical first frost (Dec 1) with UNL Extension's method: peas by Sep 13; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 18; carrots by Sep 8; beans (snap) by Sep 4; summer squash by Sep 14; broccoli by Sep 13 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 24 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 28; green onions by Sep 18; radishes by Oct 18; spinach by Oct 8; turnips by Sep 28; beets by Sep 18; swiss chard by Sep 18; cucumbers by Sep 9.

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