Frost dates for 98378Retsil, WA
The average last spring frost in Retsil is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 7 · Apr 25 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 27 · Nov 13 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 29 · Apr 24 | Oct 26 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 27 · Mar 27 | Nov 10 · Nov 30 · Dec 24 | 273 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Retsil
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98378 is matched to the NOAA station Bremerton, WA, 6 km away, at 110 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA (used) | 110 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 14 |
| Seattle Boeing Fld, WA | 20 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
| Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA | 370 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| Renton Muni Ap, WA | 29 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Retsil
- Port Orchard, WA 98366 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Bremerton, WA 98337 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Manchester, WA 98353 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- South Colby, WA 98384 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Southworth, WA 98386 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Tracyton, WA 98393 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Olalla, WA 98359 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Retsil, WA?
- For ZIP code 98378, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bremerton, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Retsil, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98378?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.