Frost Dates for Olympia, WA 98506
Olympia has 7 ZIP codes. The Olympia, WA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 30 · 195 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 98506 has about 18,500 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Olympia.
Long season: 195 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 28–May 8 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 24 (50 days).
Frost probability for 98506
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 8 | April 18 | March 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 30 | November 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CENTRALIA (43.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 195-day season in Olympia
In Olympia (195 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 14 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 28. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 258 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 21. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 21. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 21. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 300 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 251 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 25. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 11. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 21. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 195 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 174 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 25. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 2. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 18. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 25. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 25. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Olympia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| 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 Olympia, WA (ZIP 98506)?
The median last spring frost date for Olympia, WA (ZIP code 98506) is around April 18. 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 28; one in ten it runs past May 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Olympia, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Olympia, 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Olympia, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Olympia is about 195 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 Olympia (195 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 Olympia, WA?
Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Olympia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Olympia?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Olympia?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Olympia?
Yes: plant out May 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
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- When to plant in Olympia, WA: month-by-month guide
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