Regional guide
Central Oregon Seed-Starting Schedule
OSU Extension Central Oregon schedule for May 31 frost-free planning, indoor sowing count-backs, and crop-level examples.
Climate signals
- OSU Extension's When to start seeds indoors in central Oregon page is by Amy Jo Detweiler and was Published July 2018, Reviewed 2024.
- The source is specifically about central Oregon seed-starting timing, not statewide Oregon planting dates.
- Most gardeners in central Oregon use May 31 as the average frost-free date, but OSU says to use the date most applicable to your area.
- Use the schedule to count back or ahead from the frost-free date for the outdoor planting date, then count back from that date for the indoor sowing date.
Planning notes
- Beans use the May 31 example frost-free date, 1 week after for set-out timing, June 7 as the set-out date, 4 weeks indoors, and May 10 as the sow date.
- Lettuce uses the May 31 example frost-free date, 2 weeks before for set-out timing, May 17 as the set-out date, 5 weeks indoors, and April 12 as the sow date.
- Cool-season rows include Broccoli 4 weeks before the frost-free date and 6 weeks indoors, Brussels sprouts 4 weeks before and 6 weeks indoors, Cabbage 5 weeks before and 6 weeks indoors, Cauliflower 2 weeks before and 6 weeks indoors, Kale 5 weeks before and 6 weeks indoors, Leeks 5 weeks before and 10 weeks indoors, and Peas 4 weeks before and 4 weeks indoors.
- Warm-season rows include Corn on the frost-free date and 4 weeks indoors, Cucumbers 1 week after and 3 weeks indoors, Melons 2 weeks after and 3 weeks indoors, Peppers 2 weeks after and 8 weeks indoors, Squash 2 weeks after and 3 weeks indoors, and Tomatoes on the frost-free date and 8 weeks indoors.
- Onions are listed 6 weeks before the frost-free date and 10 weeks indoors, but that source row has no conservative catalog link because the catalog onion is a bunching onion.
- The source credits the Original chart format courtesy of National Gardening Association and notes it was Previously titled Seed starting schedule.
- Use these priority catalog links as crop-level examples for OSU Extension rows, not OSU cultivar recommendations.
Catalog crop examples
These catalog entries match crops covered by the regional timing source; variety-specific details remain tied to each seed entry's own source.
- Provider Bush Bean Vegetable · Warm · 50 days
- Waltham 29 Broccoli Vegetable · Cool · 74 days
- Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts Vegetable · Cool · 100 days
- Golden Acre Cabbage Vegetable · Cool · 64 days
- Snowball Y Cauliflower Vegetable · Cool · 70 days
- Golden Bantam Sweet Corn Vegetable · Warm · 80 days
- Marketmore 76 Cucumber Vegetable · Warm · 58 days
- Lacinato Kale Vegetable · Cool · 60 days
- American Flag Leek Vegetable · Cool · 120 days
- Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce Vegetable · Cool · 45 days
- Hale's Best Jumbo Melon Vegetable · Warm · 85 days
- Sugar Snap Pea Vegetable · Cool · 62 days
- California Wonder Pepper Vegetable · Warm · 72 days
- Waltham Butternut Squash Vegetable · Warm · 95 days
- Roma Tomato Vegetable · Warm · 76 days
Related regional guides
- Oregon Four-Region Vegetable Garden A guide for Oregon gardeners who need different planting windows for the coast, western valleys, high elevations, and Columbia/Snake valleys.
- Willamette Valley Oregon Garden Calendar OSU EM 9032 Willamette Valley monthly calendar for average-weather timing, soil checks, protected starts, transplants, and crop examples.
- Eastern Oregon Seed-Starting Schedule OSU Extension Eastern Oregon schedule for May 21 frost-free timing, semi-arid frost risk, indoor starts, direct seeding, and hardening off.
- Oregon Coast Vegetable Climate Guide OSU Extension coastal vegetable guide for mild, rainy, cool-summer gardens, wind, fog, protection, and crop-level catalog examples.
Source: OSU Extension When to start seeds indoors in central Oregon