Frost Dates for Seattle, WA 98117
Seattle has 38 ZIP codes. The Seattle, WA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 4 · First fall frost November 16 · 226 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 98117 has about 35,700 people, one of 38 ZIP codes in Seattle.
Long season: 226 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 23 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 28–December 3 (36 days).
Frost probability for 98117
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 23 | April 4 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 28 | November 16 | December 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BREMERTON (26.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 226-day season in Seattle
In Seattle (226 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 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 17 |
| Pepper | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 14. | Sep 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 7–Apr 18 | 289 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 7. | Sep 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Onion | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 7–Mar 28 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 7. | Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 7. | Sep 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Oct 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 16 | 331 | overwinter: Plant Nov 16 to Dec 7; harvest the following summer. | Dec 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 28–Apr 25 | 282 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 11. | Jul 29 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 18. | Jul 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 28. | Aug 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 7. | Aug 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 18. | Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 7–Mar 28 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Parsley | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | Aug 31 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 226 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | Jul 12 |
| Scallions | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Collards | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 12 |
| Chives | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Oregano | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 240 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Sage | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 10 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Melons | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 18. | Jul 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 205 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 11. | Aug 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 18. | Jul 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 4. | Aug 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Jul 22 |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Jul 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
Month by month in Seattle
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Onion (Jan 10), Rosemary (Jan 10), Celery (Jan 24), Collards (Jan 24), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 7), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 7), Cabbage (Feb 7), Lettuce (Feb 7), Sage (Feb 7), Swiss Chard (Feb 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 7), Beets (Feb 7), Dill (Feb 7), Peas (Feb 7), Radish (Feb 7), Spinach (Feb 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Cosmos (Mar 7), Nasturtiums (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Zinnias (Mar 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 7), Turnip (Mar 7), Carrots (Mar 14), Potatoes (Mar 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Collards (Mar 7), Kale (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 4), Beans (Apr 11), Pole Beans (Apr 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 4), Lavender (Apr 4), Marigolds (Apr 4), Mint (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +23 more. Last frost around April 4. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 4), Pumpkin (Jul 4), Cantaloupe (Jul 12), Celery (Jul 12), Melons (Jul 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 14), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 10), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 15), Pole Beans (Aug 15), Basil (Aug 20), Cosmos (Aug 20), Cucumber (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 5), Cabbage (Sep 14), Carrots (Sep 14), Beets (Sep 15), Dill (Sep 15), Swiss Chard (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 4), Arugula (Oct 14), Spinach (Oct 14), Radish (Oct 15). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 16). First frost around November 16. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 7). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Seattle, WA (ZIP 98117)?
The median last spring frost date for Seattle, WA (ZIP code 98117) is around April 4. 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 14; one in ten it runs past April 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Seattle, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Seattle, WA is around November 16. 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 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Seattle, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Seattle is about 226 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 Seattle (226 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 Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Seattle, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 28 and plant out Apr 18 in Seattle. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Seattle?
Two: plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23.
When do I plant garlic in Seattle?
Nov 16 to Dec 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Seattle?
Yes: plant out Apr 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 17 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Seattle, WA: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in WA
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