Darrington, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Darrington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Darrington falls between March 27 and May 5, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 190-day growing season is longer than 56% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 18 days later 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 102 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Marysville, WA, 47 km away, the last frost here is 23 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Darrington, WA
Darrington, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 23, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Darrington, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 19 – Apr 23 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Basil | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Darrington Rs, WA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 551 ft (168 m)).
Frost dates near Darrington
- Rockport Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Marblemount Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Granite Falls Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Concrete Mar 28 · Nov 14
- Arlington Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Startup Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Lake Stevens Mar 24 · Nov 2
- Hamilton Mar 28 · Nov 14
- Sultan Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Gold Bar Apr 15 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Darrington, WA?
The median last spring frost in Darrington, WA is April 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Darrington, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Darrington, WA?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Darrington, WA?
Darrington, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.