Frost dates for 98003 — Federal Way, WA
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season251 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Federal Way compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Federal Way falls between February 15 and March 31, a 44-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 44 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 251-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier 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 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kent, WA, 10 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Federal Way, WA
Frost dates for 98003 — Federal Way, WA — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Federal Way, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
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 Tacoma #1, WA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 26 ft (8 m)).
ZIP codes in Federal Way: 98003 98023 98063 98093
Frost dates near Federal Way
- Pacific Mar 8 · Nov 14
- Milton Mar 8 · Nov 14
- Auburn Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Kent Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Burton Mar 2 · Nov 23
- Tacoma Mar 8 · Nov 14
- Mcchord Afb Mar 8 · Nov 14
- Vashon Mar 2 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Federal Way, WA?
The median last spring frost in Federal Way, WA is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Federal Way, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Federal Way, WA?
About 251 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Federal Way, WA?
Federal Way, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.