Frost dates and planting calendar
Kent, Renton and Auburn, WA
The typical last spring frost in Kent, Renton and Auburn is March 20, and the first fall frost is around November 10. Plant peas from Mar 1; plant tomatoes from May 15.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Kent station. Where these dates come from
About Kent, Renton and Auburn
Kent, Renton and Auburn sit in the Green River valley south of Seattle. The valley floor was once some of the region's richest farmland, and a few farms there still grow vegetables and berries.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Apr 8
Tomatoes go out May 15 – Jun 12, once the soil is warm
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by Apr 8 and the first fall frost holds off until Oct 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 Kent, Renton and Auburn Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.
Gardening in Seattle and Puget Sound. Summers here are mild and rarely very hot, so heat lovers like peppers, melons and big tomatoes ripen slowly: give them your warmest, sunniest spot. Slugs love the wet months, and July and August are dry enough that beds need watering.
Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Kent, Renton and Auburn is March 20, but tomatoes wait until May 15, about 8 weeks later, because the soil is still too cold for them to grow. Why soil temperature matters.
How the season in Kent, Renton and Auburn compares
With 235 frost-free days, Kent, Renton and Auburn have the 14th-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 20, is in the middle of the towns we cover in Seattle and Puget Sound: 18 days later than Seattle and Tacoma and 40 days earlier than Olympia.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 19 days, about average for the towns on this site. Frost after the typical date still happens about half the time, so plan on covering warm crops until April 8.
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 10 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 Mar 1 – Apr 5
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 17
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5
- Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 1–15
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19
- Again for fall Jul 9–30
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 1–15
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 12
- Again for fall Jul 16–30
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 1–15
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 1–15
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
- Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Again for fall Sep 3–17
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
- Again for fall Aug 13–27
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5
- Again for fall Oct 1–31
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 16–30
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 27 – May 4
- Plant May 25 – Jun 15
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 13–27
- Plant May 25 – Jun 22
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 19
- Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
- Plant Mar 15 – May 3
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – May 17
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 3
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Mar 15 – May 3
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 19
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Mar 15 – May 3
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 12
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Mar 15 – May 10
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 26
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 15 – May 3
- Again for fall Aug 6–20
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 19
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 4–18
- Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
- 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: 98030, 98031, 98032, 98042, 98055, 98056, 98057, 98058, 98059, 98001, 98002, 98092. Look up another ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Kent, Renton and Auburn come from NOAA's Kent weather station, about 3 miles north of Kent, about 5 miles south of Renton and about 8 miles north of Auburn, at 30 feet. It's a NOAA cooperative station, not an airport station.
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 Kent, Renton and Auburn
When is the last frost in Kent, Renton and Auburn?
March 20 in a typical year. Frost is over by April 8 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 Kent, Renton and Auburn?
Around November 10. It comes as early as October 26 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kent, Renton and Auburn?
Set out tomato plants May 15 – Jun 12, after starting seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3.
When should I plant garlic in Kent, Renton and Auburn?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Kent, Renton and Auburn?
About 235 frost-free days, longer than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.