Frost dates and planting calendar
Olympia, WA
The typical last spring frost in Olympia is April 29, and the first fall frost is around October 14. Plant peas from Mar 18; plant tomatoes from May 15.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Olympia Airport station. Where these dates come from
About Olympia
Olympia, Washington's capital, sits at the southern end of Puget Sound, where the Deschutes River meets Budd Inlet.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 15
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 May 15 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 28.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Olympia 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.
How the season in Olympia compares
With 168 frost-free days, Olympia has the 52nd-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 29, is the latest of the towns we cover in Seattle and Puget Sound: 58 days later than Seattle and Tacoma and 2 days later than Shelton.
The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 16 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 15.
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 5 and set out kale plants by August 19. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (October 14 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 18 – Apr 22
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 9
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 2
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 26 – Sep 16
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 22
- Again for fall Aug 12 – Sep 16
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 8–29
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Apr 1–29
- Again for fall Jul 15–29
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 4–18
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 11–25
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 22
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 2
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 12–26
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 19 – Sep 9
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Again for fall Sep 2–16
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Jul 22 – Aug 5
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 29
- Again for fall Aug 12–26
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- 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 18 – Apr 29
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 22
- Again for fall Oct 1–31
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 14
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- 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 18 – May 6
- Again for fall Aug 26 – Sep 9
- 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 18 – May 6
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 29
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 29
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 1 – May 27
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 18 – May 13
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 18 – Apr 22
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 15
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 10 – Jun 21
Frost possible until about May 15: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 1 – May 20
- Again for fall Aug 5–19
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Apr 1 – May 6
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
- Plant Apr 1 – May 13
- 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: any starting with 985, except in towns with their own page (Aberdeen and Hoquiam · Shelton · Centralia and Chehalis). Look up your ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Olympia come from the NOAA weather station at Olympia Airport, about 5 miles south of Olympia, at 190 feet. It's the closest weather station to Olympia with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. The Olympia airport, south of town, is a well-known cold spot, so gardens in town and near the water usually warm up sooner than these dates.
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 Olympia
When is the last frost in Olympia?
April 29 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 15 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 Olympia?
Around October 14. It comes as early as September 28 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Olympia?
Set out tomato plants May 15 – Jun 12, after starting seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3.
When should I plant garlic in Olympia?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 15, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Olympia?
About 168 frost-free days, shorter than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.