Frost dates for 98226Bellingham, WA
The average last spring frost in Bellingham is March 31 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 31 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 12 · Oct 30 · Nov 17 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 4 · Mar 25 | Oct 27 · Nov 16 · Dec 8 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bellingham
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98226 is matched to the NOAA station Bellingham Intl Ap, WA, 6.8 km away, at 149 ft elevation (68 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Intl Ap, WA (used) | 149 ft | Mar 31 | Oct 30 |
| Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA | 15 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Clearbrook, WA | 64 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 18 |
| Blaine, WA | 60 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Bellingham
- Bellingham, WA 98227 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Ferndale, WA 98248 · last Mar 31, first Oct 30
- Everson, WA 98247 · last Apr 18, first Oct 18
- Lynden, WA 98264 · last Apr 18, first Oct 18
- Nooksack, WA 98276 · last Apr 18, first Oct 18
- Lummi Island, WA 98262 · last Feb 26, first Nov 29
- Custer, WA 98240 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Acme, WA 98220 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bellingham, WA?
- For ZIP code 98226, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bellingham Intl Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Bellingham, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98226?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.