College Place, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season152 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How College Place compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in College Place falls between April 16 and May 18, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 152-day growing season is longer than 19% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 16 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pasco, WA, 57 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 College Place, WA
College Place, WA frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 1, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in College Place, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Whitman Mission, WA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 633 ft (193 m)).
Frost dates near College Place
- Walla Walla Mar 27 · Oct 31
- Touchet May 2 · Oct 1
- Dixie Mar 27 · Oct 31
- Waitsburg Apr 28 · Oct 13
- Prescott Mar 27 · Oct 31
- Wallula Apr 7 · Oct 22
- Burbank Apr 7 · Oct 22
- Dayton Apr 28 · Oct 13
- Starbuck Apr 28 · Oct 13
- Pasco Apr 27 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in College Place, WA?
The median last spring frost in College Place, WA is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in College Place, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in College Place, WA?
About 152 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is College Place, WA?
College Place, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.