Frost Dates for Burlington, WA 98233
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost October 30 · 215 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 98233 has about 17,900 people.
Long season: 215 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 6–April 22 (47 days). Fall frost risk spans October 11–November 19 (39 days).
Frost probability for 98233
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | March 29 | March 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 11 | October 30 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SEDRO-WOOLLEY (8.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 215-day season in Burlington
In Burlington (215 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 8. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 278 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 1. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 1. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 1. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 320 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 271 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 22. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 1. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 5. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 215 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 5. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 5. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 29. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 5. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 5. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Burlington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Burlington, WA (ZIP 98233)?
The median last spring frost date for Burlington, WA (ZIP code 98233) is around March 29. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 6; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Burlington, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Burlington, WA is around October 30. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Burlington, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Burlington is about 215 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Burlington (215 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Burlington, WA?
Burlington, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Burlington, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Burlington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Burlington?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Burlington?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Burlington?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Anacortes (ZIP 98221) has 246 frost-free days, 31 more than Burlington (ZIP 98233). See Anacortes ZIP 98221 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Mount Vernon, WA 98273 (6.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 (11.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Anacortes, WA 98221 (13.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (18.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Bellingham, WA 98225 (18.7 mi)
- When to plant in WA
- When to plant Peppers in WA
- When to plant Cucumbers in WA
- When to plant Zucchini in WA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in WA
- When to plant Basil in WA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in WA
- Look up another ZIP