Frost dates and planting calendar
Yakima, WA
The typical last spring frost in Yakima is May 8, and the first fall frost is around October 4. Plant peas from Mar 27; plant tomatoes from May 8.
NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Yakima Air Terminal station. Where these dates come from
About Yakima
Yakima sits in the Yakima Valley, east of the Cascades. Irrigated farms here grow most of the country's hops, plus apples, cherries and wine grapes, on about 8 inches of rain a year.
Chance of frost through the year
Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 27
Tomatoes go out May 8 – Jun 5, under frost cover at first
- Very likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 27 and the first fall frost holds off until Sep 23.
What to plant now
Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.
Make a garden plan for Yakima Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.
East-side valleys. The Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, Boise's Treasure Valley, Lewiston and other low valleys east of the Cascades. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.
Gardening in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin. Summers are hot with very little rain, so irrigation is a must. The long, hot days suit melons, peppers and sweet corn, and spring winds can dry out or damage young plants, so shelter new transplants.
How the season in Yakima compares
With 149 frost-free days, Yakima has the 67th-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 8, is in the middle of the towns we cover in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin: 42 days later than Walla Walla and 11 days earlier than Goldendale.
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 May 27.
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 26 and set out kale plants by August 9. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (October 4 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 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 9–30
- LettucePlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Again for fall Aug 9–23
- Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 16 – Sep 6
- CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
- Plant May 8 – Jun 12
- MâchePlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 2 – Sep 6
- RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
- Plant Apr 10 – May 15
- Again for fall Jun 28 – Jul 19
Cabbage family 9 plants
- KalePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
- Plant Apr 10 – May 15
- Again for fall Jul 12–26
- CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
- Plant Apr 10 – May 15
- Again for fall Jul 12–26
- CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
- Plant Apr 10 – May 8
- Again for fall Jul 5–19
- Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- Again for fall Aug 9–23
- KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- Again for fall Aug 2–16
- CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 9–30
Root vegetables 7 plants
- RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Again for fall Aug 23 – Sep 6
- CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- Again for fall Jul 12–26
- BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Again for fall Aug 2–16
- ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
Onion family 4 plants
Peas and beans 4 plants
- PeasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants
- Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 19
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 13–27
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 6–20
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 13–27
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants
- CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 10–17
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 10–17
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 10–17
- Plant May 8–29
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 17–24
- Plant May 15 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 10–17
- Plant May 8–29
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
Herbs 13 plants
- BasilPlant young plants (starts)
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 12
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- Again for fall Aug 16–30
- ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Apr 10 – May 29
- DillPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 12
- ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Feb 13–27
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- MintPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- RosemaryPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – May 29
- ThymePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- OreganoPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- LavenderPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- SagePlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- Lemon balmPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- TarragonPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
Berries 10 plants
- StrawberriesPlant young plants
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
- Plant Apr 10 – May 29
- RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 15
- GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
- Plant Apr 10 – May 29
- HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
Perennial vegetables 5 plants
- AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
- ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- HorseradishPlant root cuttings
- Plant Mar 27 – May 8
Fruit and nut trees 11 plants
- Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Fig treesPlant potted trees
- Plant Apr 10 – Jun 5
- Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
Native plants 15 plants
- HuckleberriesPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Oregon grapePlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Red-flowering currantPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- ServiceberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- CamasPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- ThimbleberryPlant bare-root or potted plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- SalmonberryPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- SalalPlant potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- KinnikinnickPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Western columbinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Douglas asterPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Oregon sunshinePlant potted plants or seeds
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Pacific ninebarkPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Sword fernPlant potted plants
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
- Oregon irisPlant potted plants or divisions
- Plant Mar 27 – May 22
Flowers 13 plants
- DahliasPlant tubers
- Plant May 8 – Jun 5
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Mar 27 – May 1
- TulipsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- DaffodilsPlant bulbs
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
- Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
- CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Apr 3–17
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant May 15 – Jun 26
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10
- Plant May 8 – Jun 12
Frost possible until about May 27: keep frost cover handy.
- CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
- Plant Apr 10 – May 29
- Again for fall Jul 26 – Aug 9
- RanunculusPlant soaked corms
- Plant Apr 10 – May 15
- SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
- Indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13
- Plant Apr 10 – May 22
- 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 989, except in towns with their own page (Ellensburg · Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser). Look up your ZIP.
Where these dates come from
The frost dates for Yakima come from the NOAA weather station at Yakima Air Terminal, about 3 miles southwest of Yakima, at 1,060 feet. It's the closest weather station to Yakima with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. 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 Yakima
When is the last frost in Yakima?
May 8 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 27 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 Yakima?
Around October 4. It comes as early as September 23 in 1 year out of 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Yakima?
Set out tomato plants May 8 – Jun 5, after starting seeds indoors Mar 13–27. Keep frost cover handy until about May 27.
When should I plant garlic in Yakima?
Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 1, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.
How long is the growing season in Yakima?
About 149 frost-free days, shorter than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.