Cougar, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Cougar compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cougar falls between March 6 and May 2, a 57-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 85% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 35 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Vancouver, WA, 50 km away, the last frost here is 25 days earlier than there and the growing season is 56 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Cougar, WA
Cougar, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 18, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cougar, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 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 Cougar 6 E, WA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 659 ft (201 m)).
Frost dates near Cougar
- Ariel Apr 1 · Nov 18
- Amboy Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Yacolt Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Heisson Apr 26 · Oct 16
- La Center Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Battle Ground Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Woodland Apr 18 · Nov 7
- Toutle Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Brush Prairie Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Kalama Apr 8 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cougar, WA?
The median last spring frost in Cougar, WA is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cougar, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Cougar, WA?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cougar, WA?
Cougar, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.