Cheney, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 30median date
First fall frostSep 4median date
Growing season97 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Cheney compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cheney falls between May 9 and July 13, a 65-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 21 and September 19.
- The median last frost is 39 days later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 97-day growing season is among the shortest of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 38 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 186 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Spokane, WA, 23 km away, the last frost here is 34 days later than there and the growing season is 75 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 9 |
| 50% (median) | May 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | July 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 21 |
| 50% (median) | September 4 |
| 90% (late) | September 19 |
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 Cheney, WA
Cheney, WA frost dates — last frost May 30, first frost Sep 4, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 2 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 20 to Jul 4Sow outdoors: Jun 20 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cheney, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | May 2 – Jun 6 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 |
| Kale | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | — |
| Basil | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cucumbers | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 16 – Jun 13 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
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 Spokane 17 Ssw, WA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 2,267 ft (691 m)).
Frost dates near Cheney
- Four Lakes Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Marshall Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Medical Lake May 10 · Sep 26
- Fairchild Air Force Base May 10 · Sep 26
- Spangle May 30 · Sep 4
- Airway Heights May 10 · Sep 26
- Spokane Apr 26 · Oct 15
- Valleyford Apr 26 · Oct 15
- Edwall Jun 6 · Sep 11
- Malden May 7 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cheney, WA?
The median last spring frost in Cheney, WA is May 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after July 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cheney, WA?
The median first fall frost is September 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 21.
How long is the growing season in Cheney, WA?
About 97 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cheney, WA?
Cheney, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.