Cottage Grove, OR frost dates and planting calendar

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Frost dates are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Cottage Grove (181 m elevation). Gardens in cold hollows or at higher elevation can frost later in spring and earlier in fall.

What to plant now

Make a garden plan for Cottage Grove Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.

Planting calendar

Planting dates for Cottage Grove

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant in the garden	Plant again for fall
PeasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 24	—
RadishesPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – May 8	Sep 3–17
SpinachPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 17	Aug 20 – Sep 10
LettucePlant seeds or young plants	Jan 30 – Feb 13	Mar 13 – May 8	Aug 20 – Sep 3
OnionsPlant small onion bulbs (sets)	—	Mar 13 – Apr 17	—
CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 27 – May 22	Jul 23 – Aug 6
BeetsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 27 – May 22	Aug 6–20
KalePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 13–27	Mar 27 – May 8	Aug 6–20
BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 6–20	Mar 27 – May 1	Jul 23 – Aug 6
CabbagePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 6–20	Mar 27 – May 1	Jul 23 – Aug 6
Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 27 – May 22	Aug 6–20
PotatoesPlant seed potatoes	—	Mar 27 – May 8	—
Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 21	—
Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 14	—
CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10 – Jun 7	—
Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10 – Jun 7	—
Winter squash and pumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10–31	—
TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 15–29	May 10 – Jun 7	—
PeppersPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 1–15	May 10–31	—
BasilPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 29 – Apr 12	May 10 – Jun 7	—
DahliasPlant tubers	—	May 10 – Jun 7	—
CilantroPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – May 1	Aug 27 – Sep 10
ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants	Jan 30 – Feb 13	Mar 27 – May 15	—
DillPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 27 – May 29	—
StrawberriesPlant young plants	—	Mar 27 – May 8	—
BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes	—	Mar 27 – May 15	—
RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes	—	Mar 27 – May 8	—
GarlicPlant cloves	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 15
CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 6–20	Mar 27 – Apr 24	Jul 16–30
Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)	Jan 30 – Feb 13	Mar 27 – May 8	—
LeeksPlant young plants (starts)	Jan 16–30	Mar 27 – May 8	—
ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 24	Aug 27 – Sep 17
Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 6–20	Mar 13 – Apr 17	Aug 20 – Sep 3
TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 24	Aug 13–27
KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 13–27	Mar 27 – May 8	Aug 13–27
EggplantPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 1–15	May 10–31	—
MelonsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10–31	—
Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 14	—
Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 17	—
ShallotsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 15
AsparagusPlant dormant crowns	—	Mar 27 – May 8	—
RhubarbPlant dormant crowns	—	Mar 13 – Apr 24	—
ChivesPlant seeds or young plants	Jan 30 – Feb 13	Mar 27 – May 22	—
MintPlant young plants	—	Mar 27 – May 22	—
RosemaryPlant young plants	—	Mar 27 – May 15	—
ThymePlant young plants	—	Mar 27 – May 22	—
OreganoPlant young plants	—	Mar 27 – May 22	—
SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 21	—
Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 13 – Apr 17	—
TulipsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 15
DaffodilsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 15

Dates are a guide, not a guarantee. Check the soil before planting: cool-season crops need it workable and not soggy; warm-season crops need it warm. A $10 soil thermometer pays for itself. Unfamiliar terms are explained in the glossary.

Nearby areas with similar weather

• Salem, OR
• Eugene, OR
• McMinnville and Newberg, OR
• Corvallis and Albany, OR
• Portland, OR
• Gresham, OR

All Oregon and Washington cities or use the planner with your ZIP.