Elk, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostSep 14median date
Growing season115 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Elk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elk falls between May 2 and June 15, a 44-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 28 and October 1.
- The median last frost is 31 days later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 115-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 30 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 174 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Spokane, WA, 40 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 57 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 28 |
| 50% (median) | September 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 1 |
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 Elk, WA
Elk, WA frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Sep 14, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Oct 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elk, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
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 Deer Park Ap, WA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 2,192 ft (668 m)).
Frost dates near Elk
- Chattaroy May 22 · Sep 14
- Deer Park May 22 · Sep 14
- Clayton May 22 · Sep 14
- Newport May 12 · Sep 21
- Colbert May 22 · Sep 14
- Mead Apr 26 · Oct 15
- Loon Lake May 22 · Sep 14
- Usk May 12 · Sep 21
- Nine Mile Falls May 10 · Sep 26
- Valley May 16 · Sep 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elk, WA?
The median last spring frost in Elk, WA is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elk, WA?
The median first fall frost is September 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 28.
How long is the growing season in Elk, WA?
About 115 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elk, WA?
Elk, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.