Kelso, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 8median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Kelso compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kelso falls between March 11 and May 2, a 52-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 71% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 23 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 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Vancouver, WA, 59 km away, the last frost here is 18 days earlier than there and the growing season is 36 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Kelso, WA
Kelso, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 8, first frost Nov 5, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 13
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kelso, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Longview, WA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
Frost dates near Kelso
- Longview Apr 8 · Nov 5
- Carrolls Apr 8 · Nov 5
- Castle Rock Apr 8 · Nov 5
- Kalama Apr 8 · Nov 5
- Silverlake Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Toutle Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Ryderwood Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Vader Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Woodland Apr 18 · Nov 7
- Toledo Apr 5 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kelso, WA?
The median last spring frost in Kelso, WA is April 8. 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 Kelso, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Kelso, WA?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kelso, WA?
Kelso, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.