Arlington, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Arlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Arlington falls between April 4 and May 6, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 37 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 94 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Marysville, WA, 12 km away, the last frost here is 29 days later than there and the growing season is 43 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Arlington, WA
Arlington, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Arlington, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Arlington, WA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
Frost dates near Arlington
- North Lakewood Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Silvana Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Marysville Mar 24 · Nov 2
- Granite Falls Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Lake Stevens Mar 24 · Nov 2
- Stanwood Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Mount Vernon Mar 27 · Nov 6
- Conway Mar 24 · Nov 3
- Everett Mar 9 · Nov 17
- Camano Island Mar 17 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Arlington, WA?
The median last spring frost in Arlington, WA is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Arlington, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Arlington, WA?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Arlington, WA?
Arlington, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.