Orcas, WA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Orcas compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orcas falls between February 25 and April 21, a 55-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 26 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 23 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 40 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bellingham, WA, 39 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 14 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 25 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | December 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 Orcas, WA
Orcas, WA frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 10, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orcas, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Friday Harbor Ap, WA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 108 ft (33 m)).
Frost dates near Orcas
- Deer Harbor Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Shaw Island Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Olga Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Blakely Island Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Eastsound Feb 26 · Nov 29
- Waldron Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Lopez Island Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Friday Harbor Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Lummi Island Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Anacortes Mar 8 · Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orcas, WA?
The median last spring frost in Orcas, WA is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Orcas, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Orcas, WA?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orcas, WA?
Orcas, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.