Frost dates and planting calendar
Ellensburg, WA
The typical last spring frost in Ellensburg is April 28, and the first fall frost is around October 7. Plant peas from Apr 1; plant tomatoes from May 20.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Ellensburg Bowers Field station. Where these dates come from
About Ellensburg
Ellensburg sits in the Kittitas Valley, just east of the Cascade crest. It's famously windy, as air pours through the mountain passes, and the valley's timothy hay is shipped all over the world.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 12
Tomatoes go out May 20 – Jun 17, once the soil is warm
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 12 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 26.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Ellensburg Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
Inland Northwest. Spokane, Ellensburg, the Okanogan, La Grande, north Idaho, the Magic Valley, eastern Idaho and other higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.
Gardening in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin. Summers are hot with very little rain, so irrigation is a must. The long, hot days suit melons, peppers and sweet corn, and spring winds can dry out or damage young plants, so shelter new transplants.
Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Ellensburg is April 28, but tomatoes wait until May 20, about 3 weeks later, for warmer soil and less risk of a late frost. Why soil temperature matters.
How the season in Ellensburg compares
With 162 frost-free days, Ellensburg has the 57th-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, April 28, is in the middle of the towns we cover in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin: 32 days later than Walla Walla and 21 days earlier than Goldendale.
Spring here is steadier than in most towns: the last frost is over in 9 years out of 10 just 14 days after the typical date, against 19 for a typical town on this site.
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 July 29 and set out kale plants by August 12. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (October 7 on average) and to shortening days.
Planting calendar
Pick a group to see when each plant goes in, or search for one.
Salad greens 7 plants
- SpinachPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 12 – Sep 2
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 12–26
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 9
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 11–25
- Plant May 20 – Jun 24
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 5 – Sep 9
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 4–18
- Plant Apr 15 – May 20
- Again for fall Jul 1–22
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 4–18
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
- Plant Apr 15 – May 20
- Again for fall Jul 15–29
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
- Plant Apr 15 – May 20
- Again for fall Jul 15–29
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
- Plant Apr 15 – May 13
- Again for fall Jul 8–22
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 12–26
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 4–18
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 4–18
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 12 – Sep 2
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 26 – Sep 9
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- Again for fall Jul 15–29
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant May 30 – Jun 20
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- 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 Apr 1 – May 6
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 21 – Apr 4
- Plant May 30 – Jun 20
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4
- Plant May 30 – Jun 20
- 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 2–9
- Plant May 30 – Jun 20
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 22–29
- Plant May 20 – Jun 10
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 18 – May 2
- Plant May 30 – Jun 27
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 2
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 17
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
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 Apr 1 – May 6
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
- 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 15 – Jun 3
- Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Apr 15 – May 20
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 15 – May 27
- Start seeds indoors
- Plant in the garden
- Plant again for fall
- Today
- Frost possible
- Frost likely
New to this? Read the beginner's guide or look up a term in the glossary.
ZIP codes that use these dates: 98926. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Ellensburg come from the NOAA weather station at Ellensburg Bowers Field, about 3 miles north of Ellensburg, at 1,770 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 Ellensburg
When is the last frost in Ellensburg?
April 28 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 12 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 Ellensburg?
Around October 7. It comes as early as September 26 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Ellensburg?
Set out tomato plants May 20 – Jun 17, after starting seeds indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8.
When should I plant garlic in Ellensburg?
Plant garlic cloves Sep 25 – Oct 31, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Ellensburg?
About 162 frost-free days, shorter than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.