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Frost dates and planting calendar

Longview and Kelso, WA

The typical last spring frost in Longview and Kelso is April 8, and the first fall frost is around November 5. Plant peas from Mar 1; plant tomatoes from May 15.

Last spring frostApril 8Typical date. Frost is over by May 2 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostNovember 5Typical date. Comes as early as Oct 17 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season211 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

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

About Longview and Kelso

Longview and Kelso sit where the Cowlitz River meets the Columbia. Longview was one of the country's first planned cities, built in the 1920s around a timber mill.

Chance of frost through the year

Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 2
Tomatoes go out May 15 – Jun 12, once the soil is warm

In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 2 and the first fall frost holds off until Oct 17.

What to plant now

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

Make a garden plan for Longview and Kelso 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 Southwest Washington. Southwest Washington gardens share the Portland area's wet winters and dry summers. Heavy, wet soils are common, so raised beds help in spring, and slugs are the main pest in the rainy months.

Frost date isn't planting date. The typical last frost in Longview and Kelso is April 8, but tomatoes wait until May 15, about 5 weeks later, because the soil is still too cold for them to grow. Why soil temperature matters.

How the season in Longview and Kelso compares

With 211 frost-free days, Longview and Kelso have the 24th-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 8, is in the middle of the towns we cover in Southwest Washington: 10 days later than Vancouver and 14 days earlier than Centralia and Chehalis.

The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 24 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 2.

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 5 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 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

  • OnionsPlant young plants or sets
    • Plant Mar 1 – Apr 5
  • GarlicPlant cloves
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
  • LeeksPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Jan 4–18
    • Plant Mar 15 – Apr 26
  • ShallotsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15

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

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

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

ZIP codes that use these dates: 98632, 98626, 98611, 98625. Look up another ZIP.

Where these dates come from

The frost dates for Longview and Kelso come from NOAA's Longview weather station, about 2 miles west of Longview and about 3 miles west of Kelso, at 10 feet. It's the closest weather station to Longview and Kelso 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 Longview and Kelso

When is the last frost in Longview and Kelso?

April 8 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 2 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 Longview and Kelso?

Around November 5. It comes as early as October 17 in 1 year out of 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Longview and Kelso?

Set out tomato plants May 15 – Jun 12, after starting seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3.

When should I plant garlic in Longview and Kelso?

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

How long is the growing season in Longview and Kelso?

About 211 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.