Frost dates for 98253Greenbank, WA
The average last spring frost in Greenbank is March 1 and the average first fall frost is November 28, giving a typical growing season of about 274 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 28
- Growing season
- 274 days
Safer after Mar 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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) | Mar 10 · Mar 31 · Apr 26 | Oct 19 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 1 · Mar 23 | Nov 9 · Nov 28 · Dec 26 | 274 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Feb 1 · Mar 3 | Nov 20 · Dec 19 · Feb 6 | 324 days | 88% |
Planting calendar for Greenbank
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 | Jan 29 – Apr 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – May 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Apr 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 18 – Dec 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98253 is matched to the NOAA station Port Townsend, WA, 13.7 km away, at 100 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Townsend, WA (used) | 100 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 28 |
| Coupeville 1 S, WA | 50 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 11 |
| Whidbey Island Nas, WA | 47 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
| Everett Snohomish Ap, WA | 606 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Greenbank
- Freeland, WA 98249 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Camano Island, WA 98282 · last Mar 17, first Nov 11
- Nordland, WA 98358 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Langley, WA 98260 · last Mar 24, first Nov 2
- Coupeville, WA 98239 · last Mar 17, first Nov 11
- Port Hadlock, WA 98339 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Port Townsend, WA 98368 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Stanwood, WA 98292 · last Mar 17, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Greenbank, WA?
- For ZIP code 98253, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Port Townsend, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 23.
- When is the first frost in Greenbank, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98253?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 274 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.