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Frost dates and planting calendar

Seattle and Tacoma, WA

The typical last spring frost in Seattle and Tacoma is March 2, and the first fall frost is around November 23. Plant peas from Mar 1; plant tomatoes from May 15.

Last spring frostMarch 2Typical date. Frost is over by Mar 23 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostNovember 23Typical date. Comes as early as Nov 6 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season266 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport station. Where these dates come from

About Seattle and Tacoma

Seattle and Tacoma sit on Puget Sound between the Olympic Mountains and the Cascades. Most of the year's rain falls from October to April, and July and August often go weeks without any. Seattle runs one of the country's largest community garden programs, the P-Patches.

Chance of frost through the year

Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after Mar 23
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 Mar 23 and the first fall frost holds off until Nov 6.

What to plant now

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

Make a garden plan for Seattle and Tacoma 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 Seattle and Tacoma is March 2, but tomatoes wait until May 15, about 11 weeks later, because the soil is still too cold for them to grow. Why soil temperature matters.

How the season in Seattle and Tacoma compares

With 266 frost-free days, Seattle and Tacoma have the 4th-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 2, is the earliest of the towns we cover in Seattle and Puget Sound: 7 days earlier than Everett and 58 days earlier than Olympia.

The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 21 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 March 23.

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 23 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: any starting with 980, 981, 983 and 984, except in towns with their own page (Forks · Kent, Renton and Auburn · Bremerton and Port Orchard · Port Angeles · Sequim · Port Townsend). Look up your ZIP.

Where these dates come from

The frost dates for Seattle and Tacoma come from the NOAA weather station at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, about 11 miles south of Seattle and about 15 miles northeast of Tacoma, at 370 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 Seattle and Tacoma

When is the last frost in Seattle and Tacoma?

March 2 in a typical year. Frost is over by March 23 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 Seattle and Tacoma?

Around November 23. It comes as early as November 6 in 1 year out of 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Seattle and Tacoma?

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

When should I plant garlic in Seattle and Tacoma?

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

How long is the growing season in Seattle and Tacoma?

About 266 frost-free days, one of the longest of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.

Nearby areas with similar weather

All town calendars or look up your ZIP.