When to Plant in Washington: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 605 Washington ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 15 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: May 15 – May 22; Zone 7 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 8 areas: Apr 12 – Apr 19; Zone 9 areas: Mar 20 – Mar 27.
Washington spans USDA hardiness zones 6a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 605 of its 605 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 15 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 8 – May 13) and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (Sep 28 – Nov 21). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Washington frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (103 ZIP codes) | Spokane Felts Fld, WA, Chewelah, WA, Deer Park Airport, WA | May 8middle 80%: Apr 26 – May 30 | Oct 1middle 80%: Sep 12 – Oct 15 |
| Zone 7 (136 ZIP codes) | Spokane Felts Fld, WA, Wapato, WA, Yakima #2, WA | Apr 26middle 80%: Apr 6 – May 14 | Oct 15middle 80%: Sep 26 – Oct 26 |
| Zone 8 (259 ZIP codes) | Tacoma #1, WA, Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA, Mcmillin Rsvr, WA | Apr 5middle 80%: Mar 8 – Apr 27 | Nov 2middle 80%: Oct 16 – Nov 21 |
| Zone 9 (101 ZIP codes) | Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo, WA, Seattle Boeing Fld, WA, Everett Snohomish Airport, WA | Mar 13middle 80%: Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Nov 17middle 80%: Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Washington ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Arlington, OR, Boardman, OR, Bonneville Dam, OR, Cascade Locks, OR, Clatskanie, OR, Hood Rvr Exp Stn, OR…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Washington vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Washington, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost May 8 · First frost Oct 1 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 26 · First frost Oct 15 | Zone 8 areasLast frost Apr 5 · First frost Nov 2 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Mar 13 · First frost Nov 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 17 | Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) Apr 23 – May 27 | Jan 30 – Feb 13Harvest (est.) Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 11 – Jun 9 | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – May 28 | Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) Apr 8 – May 7 | Jan 30 – Feb 13Harvest (est.) Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 3 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Apr 23 – May 24 | Mar 22 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Apr 11 – May 12 | Mar 1 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) Mar 21 – Apr 21 | Feb 6 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jun 9 – Jul 13 | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jul 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 7 – Jun 10 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 18 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Aug 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Aug 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jul 20 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) May 30 – Jul 3 | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – May 31 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 23 | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 11 | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 17 – Jun 20 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – May 28 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 17 – May 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Feb 20 – Mar 13 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 17 – May 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Feb 20 – Mar 13 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Apr 24 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jul 18 – Aug 19 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 7 | Mar 22 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 17 | Feb 27 – Mar 6Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 24 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 8 – May 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 8 – May 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Aug 20 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 18 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 25 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Jul 31 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 28 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 4 – Jun 5 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 20 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Aug 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 18 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 26 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 14 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jun 23 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – May 31 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 11 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jun 8 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – May 16 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 29Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Sep 6 | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 22 – Aug 25 | Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Aug 4 | Mar 20 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 12 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 3 | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) May 24 – May 31 | Mar 20 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 1 – May 8 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 12 | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Jul 31 | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jul 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 31 – Aug 27 | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 28 – Jul 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 9 – Jul 23Harvest (est.) Aug 28 – Oct 1 | Jul 23 – Aug 6Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Nov 2 | Aug 25 – Sep 8Harvest (est.) Oct 14 – Nov 17 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 9 – Jul 23Harvest (est.) Sep 17 – Oct 21 | Jul 23 – Aug 6Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Nov 4 | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Oct 19 – Nov 22 | Aug 25 – Sep 8Harvest (est.) Nov 3 – Dec 7 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 23 – Aug 6Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20Harvest (est.) Sep 25 – Oct 29 | Aug 24 – Sep 7Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 16 | Sep 8 – Sep 22Harvest (est.) Oct 28 – Dec 1 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 6 – Aug 20Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Nov 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Oct 19 – Nov 22 | Sep 7 – Sep 21Harvest (est.) Nov 6 – Dec 10 | Sep 22 – Oct 6Harvest (est.) Nov 21 – Dec 25 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 13 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Sep 27 – Nov 2 | Aug 27 – Sep 17Harvest (est.) Oct 11 – Nov 16 | Sep 14 – Oct 5Harvest (est.) Oct 29 – Dec 4 | Sep 29 – Oct 20Harvest (est.) Nov 13 – Dec 19 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 20 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Sep 9 – Oct 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17Harvest (est.) Sep 23 – Oct 17 | Sep 21 – Oct 5Harvest (est.) Oct 11 – Nov 4 | Oct 6 – Oct 20Harvest (est.) Oct 26 – Nov 19 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 3 – Oct 15 | Sep 17 – Oct 29 | Oct 5 – Nov 16 | Oct 20 – Dec 1 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 17 – Oct 29 | Oct 1 – Nov 12 | Oct 19 – Nov 30 | Nov 3 – Dec 15 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Sep 17 – Oct 22Harvest (est.) May 25, 2027 – Jul 19, 2027 | Oct 1 – Nov 5Harvest (est.) Jun 8, 2027 – Aug 2, 2027 | Oct 19 – Nov 23Harvest (est.) Jun 26, 2027 – Aug 20, 2027 | Nov 3 – Dec 8Harvest (est.) Jul 11, 2027 – Sep 4, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Washington USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Washington gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Washington?
Across the 605 Washington ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 15, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 8 to May 13. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Washington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: May 15 – May 22; Zone 7 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 8 areas: Apr 12 – Apr 19; Zone 9 areas: Mar 20 – Mar 27.
What USDA zone is Washington?
Washington spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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