Rainline Garden
My garden planMy plan

Frost dates and planting calendar

Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA

The typical last spring frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam is March 30, and the first fall frost is around November 14. Plant peas from Mar 25; plant tomatoes from May 20.

Last spring frostMarch 30Typical date. Frost is over by Apr 25 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostNovember 14Typical date. Comes as early as Oct 22 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season229 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Hoquiam Bowerman Airport station. Where these dates come from

About Aberdeen and Hoquiam

Aberdeen and Hoquiam sit at the east end of Grays Harbor, where the Chehalis River meets the bay. They get more than 70 inches of rain a year, and summers are cool and often cloudy.

Chance of frost through the year

Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Apr 25
Tomatoes go out May 20 – Jun 17, once the soil is warm

In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by Apr 25 and the first fall frost holds off until Oct 22.

What to plant now

Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Gardening in the Olympic Peninsula and coast. Rain varies hugely here: Forks and the outer coast are among the wettest places in the country, while Sequim and Port Townsend, in the Olympic rain shadow, are some of the driest spots west of the Cascades. Summers are cool everywhere, so early, cool-tolerant varieties do best.

Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam is March 30, but tomatoes wait until May 20, about 7 weeks later, because the soil and nights are still too cold for them. Why soil temperature matters.

How the season in Aberdeen and Hoquiam compares

With 229 frost-free days, Aberdeen and Hoquiam have the 17th-longest season of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover. They run from 72 days in McCall to 330 days in Brookings and Gold Beach.

The typical last frost here, March 30, is in the middle of the towns we cover in the Olympic Peninsula and coast: 29 days later than Port Townsend and 22 days earlier than Sequim.

Late frosts are harder to predict here than in most towns. There are 26 days between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10, against 19 for a typical town on this site, so keep frost cover handy until April 25.

The season is long enough for every warm crop on our list, even pumpkins and sweet potatoes, to finish from a normal planting date.

For a fall and winter garden, sow carrots by August 6 and set out kale plants by August 20. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (November 14 on average) and to shortening days.

Planting calendar

Pick a group to see when each plant goes in, or search for one.

Frost

Salad greens 7 plants

  • SpinachPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
  • LettucePlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 11–25
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
  • Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6
    • Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 17
  • CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 11–25
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 24
  • MâchePlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
    • Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
  • RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 6
    • Again for fall Jul 9–30

Cabbage family 9 plants

  • KalePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 11–25
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 6
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 11–25
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 6
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 11–25
    • Plant Apr 1–29
    • Again for fall Jul 16–30
  • Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 4–18
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
  • KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 13–27
  • CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10

Root vegetables 7 plants

  • RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
    • Again for fall Sep 3–17
  • CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6
    • Again for fall Aug 13–27
  • ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
    • Plant Jun 1–22

Onion family 4 plants

  • OnionsPlant young plants or sets
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
  • GarlicPlant cloves
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
  • LeeksPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • ShallotsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15

Peas and beans 4 plants

  • PeasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6
  • Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 26
  • Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 19
  • Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
    • Again for fall Oct 1–31

Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants

  • Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 19
  • TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17
  • PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
    • Plant Jun 1–22
  • EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6
    • Plant Jun 1–22
  • TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17
  • Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Apr 1–15
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants

  • CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17
  • Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17
  • Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 10
  • MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors May 4–11
    • Plant Jun 1–22
  • PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 10

Herbs 13 plants

  • BasilPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Apr 20 – May 4
    • Plant Jun 1–29
  • CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
  • ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 4–18
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 20
  • DillPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – Jun 3
  • ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 4–18
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • MintPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • RosemaryPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 20
  • ThymePlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • OreganoPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • LavenderPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • SagePlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • Lemon balmPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • TarragonPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27

Berries 10 plants

  • StrawberriesPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 20
  • RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 13
  • GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 20
  • HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20

Perennial vegetables 5 plants

  • AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6
  • ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • HorseradishPlant root cuttings
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 6

Fruit and nut trees 11 plants

  • Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Fig treesPlant potted trees
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
  • Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20
  • Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 25 – May 20

Native plants 15 plants

Flowers 13 plants

  • DahliasPlant tubers
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17
  • SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 26
  • Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 25 – Apr 29
  • TulipsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
  • DaffodilsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
  • ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 26
  • PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
  • CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 3–17
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 26
  • NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 15 – Jun 26
  • MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 8–22
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 24
  • CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 20
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • RanunculusPlant soaked corms
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 6
  • SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13

New to this? Read the beginner's guide or look up a term in the glossary.

ZIP codes that use these dates: 98520, 98550, 98569, 98563. Look up another ZIP.

Where these dates come from

The frost dates for Aberdeen and Hoquiam come from the NOAA weather station at Hoquiam Bowerman Airport, about 5 miles west of Aberdeen and about 2 miles west of Hoquiam, at 10 feet. It's an airport station, out on open ground, so a garden in town, on a slope or in a low spot can run a few days earlier or later.

They're NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals: 30-year averages, not a forecast. How we pick each town's station.

Common questions about frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam

When is the last frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

March 30 in a typical year. Frost is over by April 25 in 9 years out of 10, Tender plants like tomatoes wait longer than that, for warm soil: see the tomato question below.

When is the first frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

Around November 14. It comes as early as October 22 in 1 year out of 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

Set out tomato plants May 20 – Jun 17, after starting seeds indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8.

When should I plant garlic in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.

How long is the growing season in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

About 229 frost-free days, longer than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.

Nearby areas with similar weather

All town calendars or look up your ZIP.