Mckenna, WA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Mckenna compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mckenna falls between April 11 and May 15, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 44 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 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lakewood, WA, 25 km away, the last frost here is 52 days later than there and the growing season is 83 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Mckenna, WA
Mckenna, WA frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mckenna, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Olympia Ap, WA weather station, 27 km away (elevation 187 ft (57 m)).
Frost dates near Mckenna
- Yelm Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Roy Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Rainier Apr 29 · Oct 14
- East Olympia Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Lacey Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Dupont Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Spanaway Apr 11 · Oct 30
- La Grande Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Graham Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Eatonville Apr 11 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mckenna, WA?
The median last spring frost in Mckenna, WA is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mckenna, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Mckenna, WA?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mckenna, WA?
Mckenna, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.