Carson, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season241 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Carson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carson falls between February 28 and April 16, a 47-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 241-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 55 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gresham, OR, 53 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Carson, WA
Carson, WA frost dates — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 20, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carson, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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 Cascade Locks, OR weather station, 8 km away (elevation 141 ft (43 m)).
Frost dates near Carson
- Stevenson Mar 24 · Nov 20
- Bingen Apr 20 · Oct 13
- North Bonneville Mar 14 · Nov 27
- Underwood Apr 20 · Oct 13
- White Salmon Apr 20 · Oct 13
- Husum May 12 · Oct 11
- Trout Lake May 18 · Sep 25
- Washougal Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Appleton May 12 · Oct 11
- Lyle May 12 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carson, WA?
The median last spring frost in Carson, WA is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carson, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Carson, WA?
About 241 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carson, WA?
Carson, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.