Frost dates for 98241Darrington, WA
The average last spring frost in Darrington is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 17 · May 3 · May 20 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 16 · May 5 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 9 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 20 · Nov 7 · Nov 29 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Darrington
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 | Mar 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98241 is matched to the NOAA station Darrington Rs, WA, 2.5 km away, at 550 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darrington Rs, WA (used) | 550 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Darrington 21 Nne, WA | 407 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Concrete Ppl Fish Stn, WA | 195 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 14 |
| Arlington, WA | 100 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Darrington
- Rockport, WA 98283 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Marblemount, WA 98267 · last Apr 8, first Nov 10
- Granite Falls, WA 98252 · last Mar 9, first Nov 17
- Concrete, WA 98237 · last Apr 24, first Oct 29
- Arlington, WA 98223 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Mount Vernon, WA 98274 · last Mar 27, first Nov 6
- Startup, WA 98293 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Lake Stevens, WA 98258 · last Mar 24, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Darrington, WA?
- For ZIP code 98241, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Darrington Rs, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Darrington, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98241?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.