The Best Grass Seed for Oregon Lawns
Oregon’s transition-zone climate means no single grass thrives year-round, so choosing between cool-season and warm-season turf means accepting a trade-off.
Gardening in Oregon
Everything we have worked out for Oregon: what to plant and when, which varieties finish in time, the pests that actually turn up here, and the jobs that pay off month by month. We also cover the rest of the property, from lawns and soil to home care and energy, because a garden rarely stops at the vegetable bed.
The numbers first, because everything else follows from them. Measured at the weather station in Portland, the last spring freeze runs March 6 to March 21 and the first fall freeze runs November 11 to November 27, USDA zones 4a-9b, 2,942 growing degree days in the year.
Garlic does well: 17.4 weeks below 40 °F, comfortably past the six it needs to form a proper head.
Elsewhere on the property in Oregon: the pests that turn up here.
Figures from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. A state is not one climate: elevation, a large lake or the coast can move these dates by two weeks either way, so check your own county with the extension service before you spend money.
Oregon Lawn Care: What to Plant and When to Feed It
Portland’s climate normals rule out a single best lawn grass for Oregon, and set the real windows for seeding, feeding, and mowing season by season.
When to Plant Garlic in Oregon: Counting Back From the First Frost
Oregon garlic goes in late October to early November, timed against Portland’s NOAA frost data, with cold winters more than enough to split cloves properly.
Garlic Varieties That Suit Oregon Winters
Oregon’s frost timing and winter chill length decide which garlic varieties suit each region, from the Willamette Valley to the high desert plains.
Growing Garlic in Oregon: Planting Dates, Varieties and Winter Cold
West of the Cascades, Oregon winters run mild enough that garlic’s cold requirement isn’t guaranteed, so growers choose softneck varieties or pre-chill hardneck cloves before planting.
Tomato Pests in Oregon: Which Ones Actually Show Up Here
Identifies the tomato pests that actually occur in Oregon gardens, from spring cutworms to fall stink bugs, with how to recognize and manage each one.
Tomato Varieties That Ripen in Time in Oregon
Nine cataloged tomato varieties matched against Portland’s frost window, from 55-day cherry tomatoes to 78-day paste types, so you can pick one that finishes.
Tomato Planting Dates in Oregon: Counting Back From Your Frost Window
Oregon’s tomato transplant date comes from NOAA’s Portland frost data, and this page shows how to count forward using each variety’s days to maturity.
Growing Tomatoes in Oregon: Planting Dates, Varieties and Local Pests
Oregon’s tomato planting dates, best varieties by region, and the pests and diseases most likely to show up in a home garden this season.