Frost dates for 98258Lake Stevens, WA
The average last spring frost in Lake Stevens is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 31 · Apr 20 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 24 · Apr 11 | Oct 16 · Nov 2 · Nov 23 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 20 | Oct 29 · Nov 21 · Dec 14 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Stevens
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98258 is matched to the NOAA station Everett, WA, 10.6 km away, at 60 ft elevation (212 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everett, WA (used) | 60 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 2 |
| Monroe, WA | 120 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Everett Snohomish Ap, WA | 606 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 17 |
| Arlington, WA | 100 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Lake Stevens
- Marysville, WA 98270 · last Mar 24, first Nov 2
- Everett, WA 98201 · last Mar 24, first Nov 2
- Granite Falls, WA 98252 · last Mar 9, first Nov 17
- Snohomish, WA 98291 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- North Lakewood, WA 98259 · last Mar 24, first Nov 2
- Arlington, WA 98223 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Monroe, WA 98272 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Mill Creek, WA 98082 · last Mar 9, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Stevens, WA?
- For ZIP code 98258, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Everett, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Lake Stevens, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98258?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.