Frost Dates for Vancouver, WA 98661
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 15 · 178 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 98661 has about 50,700 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Vancouver.
Moderate season: 178 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–May 10 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–November 3 (37 days).
Frost probability for 98661
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 20 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 15 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VANCOUVER 4 NNE (4.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 178-day season in Vancouver
In Vancouver (178 frost-free days, a moderate 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 30. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 241 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 241 available after Feb 23. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 23. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 23. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 283 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 234 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 13. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 23. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 27. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 178 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 27. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 157 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 20. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 27. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 27. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Vancouver
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| 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 Vancouver, WA (ZIP 98661)?
The median last spring frost date for Vancouver, WA (ZIP code 98661) is around April 20. 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 30; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Vancouver, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Vancouver, WA is around October 15. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Vancouver, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Vancouver is about 178 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 Vancouver (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Vancouver, WA?
Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Vancouver. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Vancouver?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Vancouver?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Vancouver (ZIP 98682) has 229 frost-free days, 51 more than Vancouver (ZIP 98661). See Vancouver ZIP 98682 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Vancouver, WA: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in WA
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