Frost Dates for Pullman, WA 99163

Last spring frost May 12 · First fall frost September 27 · 138 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b

ZIP 99163 has about 34,000 people.

Moderate season: 138 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 31 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 14 (35 days).

Frost probability for 99163

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 31May 12April 22
Fall (first frost)September 9September 27October 14

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PULLMAN 2 NW (4.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 138-day season in Pullman

In Pullman (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 7May 26–Jun 296fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 26.May 28
PepperMar 31May 26–Jun 296fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 26.Jun 2
LettuceMar 17Apr 14–Apr 21173two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 6
Carrots—Apr 21–Apr 28180fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 21.Jul 26
CucumberApr 21May 26–Jun 2110fits: 60 days to maturity, 110 available after May 26.Jul 1
Beans—May 19–Jun 2124fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 19.Jul 8
Peas—Mar 17–May 26201fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 17.Jul 17
ZucchiniApr 28May 26–Jun 2110fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 26.Jul 6
OnionFeb 17Apr 14–Apr 28173fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 14.—
Spinach—Mar 17–May 5215two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 25
KaleMar 3Apr 14–Apr 28187two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
BroccoliMar 17Apr 14–Apr 28173fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 14.Jul 2
CabbageMar 17Apr 14–Apr 28187fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14.Jul 26
Radish—Mar 17–Jun 9201two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 26
Beets—Mar 17–Jun 9201two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
Potatoes—Apr 28–May 5159fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 28.—
Garlic—Sep 27243overwinter: Plant Sep 27 to Oct 18; harvest the following summer.Oct 18
Strawberry—Apr 7–Jun 2194perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 14May 19–May 26110fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 19.Jun 9
PumpkinApr 28May 26–May 26103fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 26.—
CauliflowerMar 31May 5–May 19152fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 5.Jul 7
Swiss ChardMar 17Apr 28–Apr 28159two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
Arugula—Mar 17–Jun 9215two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 25
Brussel SproutsMar 17Apr 14–Apr 28187fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14.Jun 26
Butternut SquashApr 28May 26–Jun 2103fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 26.—
EggplantMar 24May 26–Jun 296fits: 70 days to maturity, 96 available after May 26.Jun 7
OkraApr 14May 19–May 26117fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 19.Jul 6
BasilApr 7Jun 2–Jun 2103fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 2.Jul 1
Cilantro—Apr 14–May 5173two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 1
ParsleyMar 3May 19–May 26138fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 19.Jul 12
CeleryMar 3May 19–Jun 2138fits: 120 days to maturity, 138 available after May 19.May 23
ScallionsMar 3Apr 14–Apr 28187two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Turnip—Apr 14–Apr 28187two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 15
Kohlrabi—Mar 31–Apr 14201two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
Bok ChoyApr 14May 5–May 12152two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 6
CollardsMar 3Apr 14–Apr 28187two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
CantaloupeApr 28May 26–Jun 296fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 26.—
ChivesFeb 17May 19–May 26152fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 19.—
Dill—Mar 17–Jun 9201two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
OreganoMar 3May 19–May 26152fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 19.—
RosemaryFeb 17May 19–May 26138fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 19.—
SageMar 17May 19–May 26152fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 19.—
ThymeMar 3May 19–May 26152fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 19.—
CalendulaMar 31Apr 28–May 12159two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 1
CosmosApr 14May 12–May 26124fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12.Jul 1
LavenderFeb 17May 12–May 26159fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 12.—
MarigoldsMar 31May 12–May 19124two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 13.Jul 11
MelonsApr 28May 26–Jun 296fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 26.—
Mint—May 12–May 26159fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 12.—
NasturtiumsApr 14May 12–May 19124two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 13.Jul 6
Pole Beans—May 19–Jun 2117fits: 65 days to maturity, 117 available after May 19.Jun 26
Spaghetti SquashApr 28May 26–Jun 2103fits: 90 days to maturity, 103 available after May 26.—
Sunflowers—May 12–May 26124fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12.Jun 21
TomatillosMar 17May 19–May 26103fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 19.Jun 2
WatermelonApr 28May 19–May 26103fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after May 19.May 28
Yellow SquashApr 28May 26–Jun 2110fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 26.Jul 6
ZinniasApr 14May 12–May 26124fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12.Jul 1

Month by month in Pullman

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 17), Lavender (Feb 17), Onion (Feb 17), Rosemary (Feb 17).
MarchStart indoors: Celery (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Oregano (Mar 3), Parsley (Mar 3), Scallions (Mar 3), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 17), Beets (Mar 17), Dill (Mar 17), Peas (Mar 17), Radish (Mar 17), Spinach (Mar 17), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 7), Tomato (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Corn (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 14), Nasturtiums (Apr 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 14), Turnip (Apr 14), Carrots (Apr 21), Potatoes (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 14), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 14), Cabbage (Apr 14), Collards (Apr 14), Kale (Apr 14), Lettuce (Apr 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 7).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 12), Beans (May 19), Pole Beans (May 19). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 5), Cauliflower (May 5), Cosmos (May 12), Lavender (May 12), Marigolds (May 12), Mint (May 12), +24 more. Last frost around May 12. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 23), Tomato (May 28), Watermelon (May 28).
JuneTransplant from: Basil (Jun 2). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 2), Tomatillos (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 7), Corn (Jun 9), Sunflowers (Jun 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 26), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Basil (Jul 1), Cosmos (Jul 1), Cucumber (Jul 1), Zinnias (Jul 1), Broccoli (Jul 2), Nasturtiums (Jul 6), +13 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 1), Cilantro (Aug 1), Collards (Aug 5), Scallions (Aug 5), Bok Choy (Aug 6), Lettuce (Aug 6), +6 more.
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 27). First frost around September 27.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 18).
NovemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.
DecemberClean 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 Pullman, WA (ZIP 99163)?

The median last spring frost date for Pullman, WA (ZIP code 99163) is around May 12. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 31.

What is the first fall frost date in Pullman, WA?

The median first fall frost date for Pullman, WA is around September 27. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Pullman, WA?

The frost-free growing season in Pullman is about 138 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 Pullman (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Pullman, WA?

Pullman, 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 Pullman, WA?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 7 and plant out May 26 in Pullman. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Pullman?

Two: plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.

When do I plant garlic in Pullman?

Sep 27 to Oct 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Clarkston (ZIP 99403) has 150 frost-free days, 12 more than Pullman (ZIP 99163). See Clarkston ZIP 99403 frost dates

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