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Frost dates and planting calendar

Leavenworth, WA

The typical last spring frost in Leavenworth is May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 30. Plant peas from Apr 1; plant tomatoes from May 20.

Last spring frostMay 10Typical date. Frost is over by May 28 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostSeptember 30Typical date. Comes as early as Sep 18 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season143 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Leavenworth station. Where these dates come from

About Leavenworth

Leavenworth sits at the mouth of Tumwater Canyon on the east side of the Cascades. It gets much more snow than Wenatchee, and orchards and small farms fill the Icicle Creek valley.

Chance of frost through the year

Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 28
Tomatoes go out May 20 – Jun 17, under frost cover at first

In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 28 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 18.

What to plant now

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

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 Wenatchee and the Okanogan. This is orchard country: hot, dry summers and cold winters. Gardens need irrigation, and the summer heat suits tomatoes, peppers and melons; the higher valleys around Winthrop and Twisp have shorter seasons.

How the season in Leavenworth compares

With 143 frost-free days, Leavenworth has the 71st-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, May 10, is in the middle of the towns we cover in Wenatchee and the Okanogan: 32 days later than Wenatchee and 5 days earlier than Winthrop and Twisp.

The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 18 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 May 28.

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 22 and set out kale plants by August 5. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (September 30 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 Apr 1 – May 6
    • Again for fall Aug 5–26
  • LettucePlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
    • Again for fall Aug 5–19
  • Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
    • Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
  • ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 12 – Sep 2
  • 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 Jul 29 – Sep 2
  • RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Mar 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 20
    • Again for fall Jun 24 – Jul 15

Cabbage family 9 plants

  • KalePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
    • Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
  • BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 20
    • Again for fall Jul 8–22
  • CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 20
    • Again for fall Jul 8–22
  • CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 13
    • Again for fall Jul 1–15
  • 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 5–19
  • KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Mar 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
    • Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
  • CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
    • Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
  • Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Aug 5–26

Root vegetables 7 plants

  • RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 27
    • Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 2
  • CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
    • Again for fall Jul 8–22
  • BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 15 – Jun 10
    • Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
  • PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
  • TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
    • Again for fall Jul 29 – Aug 12
  • ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
  • Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
    • Plant May 30 – Jun 20

Onion family 4 plants

  • OnionsPlant young plants or sets
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 6
  • GarlicPlant cloves
    • Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
  • LeeksPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27
  • ShallotsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31

Peas and beans 4 plants

  • PeasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 1 – May 13
  • Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 17 – Jun 28

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 17 – Jun 21

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • 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 17 – Jun 21

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • 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

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Apr 1–15
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants

  • CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 22–29
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 10

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • 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

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

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 12–26
  • 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

Flowers 13 plants

  • DahliasPlant tubers
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 17

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 17 – Jun 28

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • 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 17 – Jun 28

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
    • Fall Sep 25 – Oct 31
  • CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 5–19
    • Plant May 17 – Jun 28

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 17 – Jun 28

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 8–22
    • Plant May 20 – Jun 24

    Frost possible until about May 28: keep frost cover handy.

  • CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 15 – Jun 3
    • Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
  • RanunculusPlant soaked corms
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 20
  • SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 4–18
    • Plant Apr 15 – May 27

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

ZIP codes that use these dates: 98826, 98847. Look up another ZIP.

Where these dates come from

The frost dates for Leavenworth come from NOAA's Leavenworth weather station, about 3 miles south of Leavenworth, at 1,130 feet. It's the closest weather station to Leavenworth with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. 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 Leavenworth

When is the last frost in Leavenworth?

May 10 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 28 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 Leavenworth?

Around September 30. It comes as early as September 18 in 1 year out of 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Leavenworth?

Set out tomato plants May 20 – Jun 17, after starting seeds indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8. Keep frost cover handy until about May 28.

When should I plant garlic in Leavenworth?

Plant garlic cloves Sep 25 – Oct 31, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.

How long is the growing season in Leavenworth?

About 143 frost-free days, shorter 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.