Frost Dates for Yakima, WA 98902
Last spring frost May 10 · First fall frost October 1 · 144 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 98902 has about 46,500 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Yakima.
Moderate season: 144 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 24–May 27 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 12 (21 days).
Frost probability for 98902
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 10 | April 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 1 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ELLENSBURG (41.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Yakima, WA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98902 | May 10 | October 1 | 7a |
| 98908 | May 10 | October 1 | 7a |
| 98901 | May 14 | October 6 | 7a |
| 98903 | May 10 | October 1 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 144-day season in Yakima
In Yakima (144 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 5 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | Jun 1 |
| Pepper | Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | Jun 6 |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 19. | Jul 30 |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 24. | Jul 5 |
| Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 17. | Jul 12 |
| Peas | — | Mar 15–May 24 | 207 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 15. | Jul 21 |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 24. | Jul 10 |
| Onion | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 15–May 3 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 12. | Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 12. | Jul 30 |
| Radish | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 1 | 249 | overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer. | Oct 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 5–May 31 | 200 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 17. | Jun 13 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 26 | May 24–May 24 | 109 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 | May 3–May 17 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after May 3. | Jul 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 109 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | Jun 11 |
| Okra | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 17. | Jul 10 |
| Basil | Apr 5 | May 31–May 31 | 109 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after May 31. | Jul 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 12–May 3 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 17. | Jul 16 |
| Celery | Mar 1 | May 17–May 31 | 144 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 144 available after May 17. | May 27 |
| Scallions | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Collards | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | May 27 |
| Chives | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Oregano | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 17. | — |
| Sage | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after May 17. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 17. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cosmos | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | Jul 5 |
| Lavender | Feb 15 | May 10–May 24 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 29 | May 10–May 17 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Melons | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | May 27 |
| Mint | — | May 10–May 24 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 123 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 123 available after May 17. | Jun 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 109 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | May 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 10–May 24 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | Jun 25 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 17. | Jun 6 |
| Watermelon | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 109 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 109 available after May 17. | Jun 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 24. | Jul 10 |
| Zinnias | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | Jul 5 |
Month by month in Yakima
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 15), Lavender (Feb 15), Onion (Feb 15), Rosemary (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Oregano (Mar 1), Parsley (Mar 1), Scallions (Mar 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 15), Beets (Mar 15), Dill (Mar 15), Peas (Mar 15), Radish (Mar 15), Spinach (Mar 15), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 5), Tomato (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Corn (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 12), Nasturtiums (Apr 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 12), Turnip (Apr 12), Carrots (Apr 19), Potatoes (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 12), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 12), Cabbage (Apr 12), Collards (Apr 12), Kale (Apr 12), Lettuce (Apr 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 5). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 10), Beans (May 17), Pole Beans (May 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Cosmos (May 10), Lavender (May 10), Marigolds (May 10), Mint (May 10), +25 more. Last frost around May 10. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 27), Celery (May 27), Melons (May 27), Spaghetti Squash (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 1), Watermelon (Jun 1), Pepper (Jun 6), Tomatillos (Jun 6), Eggplant (Jun 11), Corn (Jun 13), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 5), Cosmos (Jul 5), Cucumber (Jul 5), Zinnias (Jul 5), Broccoli (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 10), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 5), Cilantro (Aug 5), Collards (Aug 9), Scallions (Aug 9), Bok Choy (Aug 10), Lettuce (Aug 10), +6 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 1). First frost around October 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 22). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Yakima, WA (ZIP 98902)?
The median last spring frost date for Yakima, WA (ZIP code 98902) is around May 10. 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 24; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Yakima, WA?
The median first fall frost date for Yakima, WA is around October 1. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Yakima, WA?
The frost-free growing season in Yakima is about 144 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 Yakima (144 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 Yakima, WA?
Yakima, WA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Yakima, WA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 5 and plant out May 24 in Yakima. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Yakima?
Two: plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.
When do I plant garlic in Yakima?
Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ellensburg (ZIP 98926) has 190 frost-free days, 46 more than Yakima (ZIP 98902). See Ellensburg ZIP 98926 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Ellensburg, WA 98926 (28.5 mi)
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