Frost Dates for Kelso, WA 98626
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost October 28 · 194 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 98626 has about 26,900 people.
Long season: 194 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–May 9 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 20 (46 days).
Frost probability for 98626
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 17 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 28 | November 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LONGVIEW (10.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 194-day season in Kelso
In Kelso (194 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 | Mar 13 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 27. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 20. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 20. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 20. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 299 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 250 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 24. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after May 1. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 10. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 20. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after May 1. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 24. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 194 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 24. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 173 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 24. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 17. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in Kelso
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 15), Pumpkin (Jun 15), Cantaloupe (Jun 23), Celery (Jun 23), Melons (Jun 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 25), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 3), Tomatillos (Jul 3), Eggplant (Jul 8), Corn (Jul 10), Sunflowers (Jul 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 27), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 1), Cosmos (Aug 1), Cucumber (Aug 1), Zinnias (Aug 1), Broccoli (Aug 2), Nasturtiums (Aug 6), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 1), Cilantro (Sep 1), Collards (Sep 5), Scallions (Sep 5), Bok Choy (Sep 6), Lettuce (Sep 6), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 28). First frost around October 28. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 18). |
| 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 Kelso, WA (ZIP 98626)?
The median last spring frost date for Kelso, WA (ZIP code 98626) is around April 17. 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 1; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Kelso, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Kelso, WA is around October 28. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kelso, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Kelso is about 194 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 Kelso (194 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 Kelso, WA?
Kelso, 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 Kelso, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in Kelso. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Kelso?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in Kelso?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Kelso?
Yes: plant out May 1 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 28 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Longview, WA 98632 (14.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Woodland, WA 98674 (15.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Saint Helens, OR 97051 (19.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Ridgefield, WA 98642 (24.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Winlock, WA 98596 (25 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