Chinook, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Chinook compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chinook falls between March 16 and April 28, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 65% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 21 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 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Hillsboro, OR, 113 km away, the last frost here is 10 days earlier than there and the growing season is 13 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Chinook, WA
Chinook, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Oct 26, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chinook, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Long Beach Exp Stn, WA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 26 ft (8 m)).
Frost dates near Chinook
- Ilwaco Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Seaview Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Long Beach Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Naselle Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Rosburg Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Nahcotta Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Ocean Park Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Grays River Apr 27 · Oct 22
- Oysterville Apr 6 · Oct 26
- Skamokawa Apr 27 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chinook, WA?
The median last spring frost in Chinook, WA is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chinook, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Chinook, WA?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chinook, WA?
Chinook, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.