Frost dates for 98368Port Townsend, WA
The average last spring frost in Port Townsend 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 34 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 Port Townsend
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 98368 is matched to the NOAA station Port Townsend, WA, 3 km away, at 100 ft elevation (110 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 |
| Sequim 2 E, WA | 50 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
| Whidbey Island Nas, WA | 47 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Port Townsend
- Port Hadlock, WA 98339 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Nordland, WA 98358 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Chimacum, WA 98325 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Coupeville, WA 98239 · last Mar 17, first Nov 11
- Greenbank, WA 98253 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Freeland, WA 98249 · last Mar 1, first Nov 28
- Port Ludlow, WA 98365 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Camano Island, WA 98282 · last Mar 17, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Port Townsend, WA?
- For ZIP code 98368, 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 Port Townsend, 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 98368?
- 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.