Frost dates for 98360Orting, WA
The average last spring frost in Orting is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 1 · May 17 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 31 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 30 · Nov 17 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 16 · Apr 8 | Oct 28 · Nov 14 · Dec 8 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Orting
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98360 is matched to the NOAA station Mcmillin Rsvr, WA, 8 km away, at 579 ft elevation (346 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcmillin Rsvr, WA (used) | 579 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Buckley 1 Ne, WA | 685 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Mud Mtn Dam, WA | 1,308 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 31 |
| Tacoma #1, WA | 25 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Orting
- Sumner, WA 98352 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Paradise Inn, WA 98398 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Camp Murray, WA 98430 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Bonney Lake, WA 98391 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Puyallup, WA 98374 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- South Prairie, WA 98385 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Carbonado, WA 98323 · last Apr 18, first Oct 31
- Graham, WA 98338 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orting, WA?
- For ZIP code 98360, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mcmillin Rsvr, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Orting, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98360?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.