Frost Dates for Ephrata, WA 98823
Last spring frost April 25 · First fall frost October 8 · 166 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 98823 has about 12,200 people.
Moderate season: 166 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 9 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 24 (29 days).
Frost probability for 98823
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 25 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 8 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SMYRNA (55.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 166-day season in Ephrata
In Ephrata (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 21 | May 9–May 16 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 9. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 9. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 4. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Feb 28–May 9 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Feb 28. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28–Apr 18 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 28. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 28. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 271 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 21–May 16 | 222 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 2. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 11 | May 9–May 9 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 9. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 | Apr 18–May 2 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 18. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 28. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 9. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 9. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 21 | May 16–May 16 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 16. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28–Apr 18 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after May 2. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 14 | May 2–May 16 | 166 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 166 available after May 2. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 9. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after May 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 2. | — |
| Sage | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after May 2. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 2. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Jan 31 | Apr 25–May 9 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 2 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 9. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 145 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 9. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 25. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 2. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 2. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Ephrata
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 31), Lavender (Jan 31), Onion (Jan 31), Rosemary (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 14), Collards (Feb 14), Kale (Feb 14), Oregano (Feb 14), Parsley (Feb 14), Scallions (Feb 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 28), Beets (Feb 28), Dill (Feb 28), Peas (Feb 28), Radish (Feb 28), Spinach (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 7), Calendula (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Marigolds (Mar 14), Pepper (Mar 14), Basil (Mar 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 14), Cilantro (Mar 28), Turnip (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 28), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 28), Cabbage (Mar 28), Collards (Mar 28), Kale (Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 4), Butternut Squash (Apr 11), Cantaloupe (Apr 11), Melons (Apr 11), Pumpkin (Apr 11), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 4), Potatoes (Apr 11), Sunflowers (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 11), Swiss Chard (Apr 11), Bok Choy (Apr 18), Cauliflower (Apr 18), Cosmos (Apr 25), Lavender (Apr 25), +4 more. Last frost around April 25. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 2), Pole Beans (May 2). Transplant from: Celery (May 2), Chives (May 2), Corn (May 2), Okra (May 2), Oregano (May 2), Parsley (May 2), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Ephrata, WA (ZIP 98823)?
The median last spring frost date for Ephrata, WA (ZIP code 98823) is around April 25. 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 April 8; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Ephrata, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Ephrata, WA is around October 8. 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 September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ephrata, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Ephrata is about 166 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 Ephrata (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ephrata, WA?
Ephrata, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Ephrata, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 21 and plant out May 9 in Ephrata. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ephrata?
Two: plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Ephrata?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
East Wenatchee (ZIP 98802) has 190 frost-free days, 24 more than Ephrata (ZIP 98823). See East Wenatchee ZIP 98802 frost dates
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