Frost dates for 98407 — Tacoma, WA
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season255 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Tacoma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tacoma falls between February 15 and April 2, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 41 days earlier than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 255-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 21 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Seattle, WA, 38 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
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 Tacoma, WA
Frost dates for 98407 — Tacoma, WA — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 21, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tacoma, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Narrows Ap, WA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 292 ft (89 m)).
ZIP codes in Tacoma: 98401 98402 98403 98404 98405 98406 98407 98408 98409 98411 98412 98413 98415 98416 98417 98418 98419 98421 98422 98424 98431 98433 98443 98444 98445 98446 98447 98448 98464 98465 98466 98471 98481 98490 98493
Frost dates near Tacoma
- Mcchord Afb Mar 8 · Nov 14
- University Place Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Fox Island Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Gig Harbor Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Burton Mar 2 · Nov 23
- Lakewood Mar 8 · Nov 14
- Steilacoom Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Milton Mar 8 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tacoma, WA?
The median last spring frost in Tacoma, WA is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tacoma, WA?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Tacoma, WA?
About 255 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.