Frost dates for 98502 — Olympia, WA
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Olympia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Olympia falls between April 6 and May 12, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Washington median of Apr 21.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 34% of the 491 Washington places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 42 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 79 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lakewood, WA, 41 km away, the last frost here is 50 days later than there and the growing season is 79 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Olympia, WA
Frost dates for 98502 — Olympia, WA — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 16, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Olympia, WA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Shelton Sanderson Fld, WA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 272 ft (83 m)).
ZIP codes in Olympia: 98501 98502 98504 98505 98506 98507 98508 98512 98513 98516 98599
Frost dates near Olympia
- Shelton Apr 27 · Oct 16
- Tumwater Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Mccleary May 1 · Oct 14
- Littlerock Apr 29 · Oct 14
- Longbranch Mar 11 · Nov 21
- Union Mar 24 · Nov 15
- Malone May 1 · Oct 14
- Lacey Apr 29 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Olympia, WA?
The median last spring frost in Olympia, WA is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Olympia, WA?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Olympia, WA?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Olympia, WA?
Olympia, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.