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When to Plant Passion Fruit in Clatsop County, OR

Clatsop County, Oregon Zone 9a May

Your May planting checklist for Clatsop County, Oregon

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Clatsop County, Oregon this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs

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Passion fruit is a tropical vine producing exotic, aromatic fruits with a tart, intensely flavored pulp full of edible seeds. The flowers are spectacularly ornamental.

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 412 feet, Clatsop County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Passion Fruit during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Passion Fruit root diseases.

Clatsop County, OR (Zone 9a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Clatsop County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Clatsop County

How your county's soil matches Passion Fruit's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Passion Fruit's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clatsop County is excellent for Passion Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Passion Fruit will thrive.

How to Plant Passion Fruit

72"
Between Plants
96"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Passion Fruit

Passion Fruit needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Passion Fruit Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 8.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 9.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Clatsop County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Passion Fruit Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Passion Fruit needs ~6,598 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD May not mature

Passion Fruit Planting Timeline — Clatsop County, OR

Passion Fruit Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10

· 72" apart · Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

365–545 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Clatsop County

Growing Tips for Passion Fruit in Clatsop County

Direct sow Passion Fruit outdoors after April 12 in Clatsop County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 206.0-day growing season in Clatsop County is tight for Passion Fruit (365.0-545.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Provide a strong trellis or fence. Fruits are ripe when they fall to the ground or the skin wrinkles. In marginal zones, grow in containers and protect from frost.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Passion Fruit in Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Passion Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Your Clatsop County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Clatsop County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clatsop County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.