Frost Dates for Shelton, WA 98584
Last spring frost May 5 · First fall frost October 12 · 160 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 98584 has about 40,600 people.
Moderate season: 160 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 23 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 30 (36 days).
Frost probability for 98584
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 5 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 12 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OLYMPIA AP (36.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 160-day season in Shelton
In Shelton (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 31 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 24 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 14. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 19. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Mar 10–May 19 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 10. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 10–Apr 28 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 7. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 7. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 265 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 31–May 26 | 216 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 31; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 12. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 21 | May 19–May 19 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 19. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 12 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 28. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 7. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 19. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 31 | May 26–May 26 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 26. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 7–Apr 28 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 12. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 24 | May 12–May 26 | 160 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 160 available after May 12. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after May 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 12. | — |
| Sage | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after May 12. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 12. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Feb 10 | May 5–May 19 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 24 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | May 5–May 19 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after May 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 139 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 139 available after May 12. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 125 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 125 available after May 19. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 5–May 19 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Shelton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 10), Lavender (Feb 10), Onion (Feb 10), Rosemary (Feb 10), Celery (Feb 24), Collards (Feb 24), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 10), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 10), Cabbage (Mar 10), Lettuce (Mar 10), Sage (Mar 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 10), Beets (Mar 10), Dill (Mar 10), Peas (Mar 10), Radish (Mar 10), Spinach (Mar 10), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 31). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 7), Nasturtiums (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Zinnias (Apr 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 7), Turnip (Apr 7), Carrots (Apr 14), Potatoes (Apr 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 7), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 7), Cabbage (Apr 7), Collards (Apr 7), Kale (Apr 7), Lettuce (Apr 7), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 5), Beans (May 12), Pole Beans (May 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 5), Lavender (May 5), Marigolds (May 5), Mint (May 5), Nasturtiums (May 5), Zinnias (May 5), +23 more. Last frost around May 5. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| 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 Shelton, WA (ZIP 98584)?
The median last spring frost date for Shelton, WA (ZIP code 98584) is around May 5. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Shelton, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Shelton, WA is around October 12. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Shelton, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Shelton is about 160 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 Shelton (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Shelton, WA?
Shelton, 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 Shelton, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 31 and plant out May 19 in Shelton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Shelton?
Two: plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Shelton?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Elma (ZIP 98541) has 174 frost-free days, 14 more than Shelton (ZIP 98584). See Elma ZIP 98541 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Elma, WA 98541 (16.7 mi)
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