Ferndale, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season213 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Ferndale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ferndale falls between March 10 and April 18, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 21 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 213-day growing season is longer than 72% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bellingham, WA, 16 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 10 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Ferndale, WA
Ferndale, WA frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Oct 30, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ferndale, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Bellingham Intl Ap, WA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 148 ft (45 m)).
Frost dates near Ferndale
- Custer Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Lynden Apr 18 · Oct 18
- Bellingham Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Blaine Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Lummi Island Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Everson Apr 18 · Oct 18
- Nooksack Apr 18 · Oct 18
- Eastsound Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Sumas Apr 18 · Oct 18
- Olga Feb 26 · Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ferndale, WA?
The median last spring frost in Ferndale, WA is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ferndale, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Ferndale, WA?
About 213 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ferndale, WA?
Ferndale, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.