Yakima, WA Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Yakima, Washington.
Gardening in Yakima
The Yakima Valley is to Washington what the Central Valley is to California — the agricultural engine that feeds the region. Home gardeners inherit the same volcanic soil, irrigation water, and intense sun that make the valley a commercial fruit and wine powerhouse.
Eastern Washington's climate is dramatically different from Seattle — hot, dry summers and cold winters, with only 8 inches of annual rainfall. Irrigation is essential. But the intense sun, low humidity, and cool nights produce fruit and vegetables of exceptional quality. Your 183-day growing season is ample.
The valley's hop, apple, and wine grape heritage translates directly to home gardens that produce food of remarkable intensity. The downtown Yakima Farmers Market connects the city to the agricultural valley that surrounds it.
What This Means for Yakima Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Yakima is around April 15, and the average first fall frost arrives around October 15. That gives you approximately 183 frost-free days to work with.
A solid, workable season. Most standard vegetable varieties have enough time to mature, though the longest-season crops (like sweet potatoes at 90+ days or large watermelons at 85+ days) need to be started early and chosen carefully. Indoor seed starting isn't optional — it's how you buy the extra weeks that make the difference between a good harvest and a great one.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Yakima area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Yakima
Yakima's 183-day season gives you plenty of time for most vegetables with good planning. Start warm-season crops indoors to maximize your window. Cool-season crops thrive in your spring and fall shoulder seasons. Recommended starting points: tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, beans, broccoli, garlic, and basil.
See the full Washington planting guide for all 40 plants: Washington Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Yakima.
More About Zone 7A
Yakima is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7A, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 0°F to 5°F. View the full Zone 7A planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Washington: Washington Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Yakima area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Yakima (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Start warm-season seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost (April 15) to maximize your 183-day window. Direct sow cold-hardy crops like peas and lettuce 3-4 weeks before last frost. Every week of early indoor starting matters at this season length. Enter your zip code for exact dates.