Frost Dates for Spokane, WA 99251
Spokane has 16 ZIP codes. The Spokane, WA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 15 · First fall frost September 24 · 132 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b (est.)
ZIP 99251 has about 964 people, one of 16 ZIP codes in Spokane.
Moderate season: 132 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–June 11 (53 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 9 (30 days).
Frost probability for 99251
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 11 | May 15 | April 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 9 | September 24 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROSALIA (57.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 132-day season in Spokane
In Spokane (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 10 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 3 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | May 30 |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24. | Jul 23 |
| Cucumber | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 28 |
| Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22. | Jul 5 |
| Peas | — | Mar 20–May 29 | 195 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 20. | Jul 14 |
| Zucchini | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jul 3 |
| Onion | Feb 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 20–May 8 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Kale | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 17. | Jul 23 |
| Radish | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | May 1–May 8 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 | 237 | overwinter: Plant Sep 24 to Oct 15; harvest the following summer. | Oct 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 10–Jun 5 | 188 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 6 |
| Pumpkin | May 1 | May 29–May 29 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 | May 8–May 22 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 8. | Jul 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 20 | May 1–May 1 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 17. | Jun 23 |
| Butternut Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | Jun 4 |
| Okra | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jul 3 |
| Basil | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jun 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 17–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Parsley | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 22. | Jul 9 |
| Celery | Mar 6 | May 22–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 132 available after May 22. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Collards | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cantaloupe | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | — |
| Chives | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Oregano | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 22. | — |
| Sage | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Cosmos | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 28 |
| Lavender | Feb 20 | May 15–May 29 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 3 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 8 |
| Melons | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | — |
| Mint | — | May 15–May 29 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jul 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jun 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after May 29. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 15–May 29 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 18 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 22. | May 30 |
| Watermelon | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 22. | May 25 |
| Yellow Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jul 3 |
| Zinnias | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | Jun 28 |
Month by month in Spokane
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 20), Lavender (Feb 20), Onion (Feb 20), Rosemary (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), Scallions (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 20), Beets (Mar 20), Dill (Mar 20), Peas (Mar 20), Radish (Mar 20), Spinach (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), Basil (Apr 10), Tomato (Apr 10), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 3), Cilantro (Apr 17), Turnip (Apr 17), Carrots (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 17), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 17), Cabbage (Apr 17), Collards (Apr 17), Kale (Apr 17), Lettuce (Apr 17), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 10). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pumpkin (May 1), Spaghetti Squash (May 1), Watermelon (May 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 1), Sunflowers (May 15), Beans (May 22), Pole Beans (May 22). Transplant from: Calendula (May 1), Swiss Chard (May 1), Bok Choy (May 8), Cauliflower (May 8), Cosmos (May 15), Lavender (May 15), +26 more. Last frost around May 15. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 25), Pepper (May 30), Tomatillos (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 5). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 4), Corn (Jun 6), Sunflowers (Jun 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23), Basil (Jun 28), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Okra (Jul 3), Yellow Squash (Jul 3), Zucchini (Jul 3), Cauliflower (Jul 4), Beans (Jul 5), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 2), Scallions (Aug 2), Bok Choy (Aug 3), Lettuce (Aug 3), Kale (Aug 7), Kohlrabi (Aug 7), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 24). First frost around September 24. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 15). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Spokane, WA (ZIP 99251)?
The median last spring frost date for Spokane, WA (ZIP code 99251) is around May 15. 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 19; one in ten it runs past June 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Spokane, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Spokane, WA is around September 24. 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 Spokane, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Spokane is about 132 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 Spokane (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Spokane, WA?
Spokane, WA is approximately in USDA zone 5b. The 2023 USDA map does not list ZIP 99251, so this is estimated from local frost patterns; check the USDA map for your exact address.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Spokane, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 10 and plant out May 29 in Spokane. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Spokane?
Two: plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1.
When do I plant garlic in Spokane?
Sep 24 to Oct 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Spokane?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Spokane (ZIP 99208) has 143 frost-free days, 11 more than Spokane (ZIP 99251). See Spokane ZIP 99208 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Spokane, WA 99208 (2.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Spokane, WA 99205 (4.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Colbert, WA 99005 (6.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Spokane, WA 99217 (7.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Spokane, WA 99212 (7.9 mi)
- When to plant in Spokane, WA: month-by-month guide
- 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