Washington Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Washington gardeners.

Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a

The Short Answer

Washington spans USDA zones 4b through 9a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Western Washington (Seattle/Tacoma) has an average last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Central Washington sees its last frost around Apr 20 - May 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Washington Frost Dates by Region

Dramatic east-west climate divide. Mild, wet winters west of Cascades. Cold, dry winters east. Maritime influence extends growing season in west.

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Western Washington (Seattle/Tacoma) 8a, 8b Mar 25 - Apr 15 Oct 25 - Nov 15
Puget Sound 8b, 9a Mar 15 - Apr 5 Nov 1 - Nov 20
Eastern Washington 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 25 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 15
Central Washington 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 20 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 20

Soil & Growing Conditions

Rich volcanic soils in eastern WA — excellent for agriculture. Acidic clay in western WA. Sandy loam in some Puget Sound areas.

What to Plant in Washington

Washington's long season gives you two planting windows and room for crops that colder states can't grow. The key is timing around your summer heat peak:

Heat Lovers (Washington's Advantage)

OkraSweet PotatoesWatermelonEggplantPeppers

Spring & Fall Crops

TomatoesCucumbersBeans (Green/Snap)Squash (Summer)Corn (Sweet)BasilGarlicLettuceBroccoliCarrotsKalePeas

Flowers & Perennials

SunflowersZinniasLavenderMarigoldsDaylilies

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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