Ethel, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Ethel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ethel falls between March 12 and May 4, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 16 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 7 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 54 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Olympia, WA, 58 km away, the last frost here is 24 days earlier than there and the growing season is 35 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 Ethel, WA
Ethel, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ethel, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Toledo Faa Ap, WA weather station, 8 km away (elevation 381 ft (116 m)).
Frost dates near Ethel
- Onalaska Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Salkum Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Toledo Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Napavine Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Cinebar Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Winlock Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Mossyrock Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Silver Creek Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Chehalis Apr 22 · Oct 27
- Vader Apr 5 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ethel, WA?
The median last spring frost in Ethel, WA is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ethel, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Ethel, WA?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ethel, WA?
Ethel, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.