Frost dates for 98401Tacoma, WA
The average last spring frost in Tacoma is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 254 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 254 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 26 · Apr 11 · May 2 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 204 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 11 · Apr 2 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 10 | 254 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 1 · Feb 13 · Mar 8 | Nov 18 · Dec 11 · Jan 19 | 307 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Tacoma
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98401 is matched to the NOAA station Tacoma Narrows Ap, WA, 10.1 km away, at 292 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma Narrows Ap, WA (used) | 292 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
| Tacoma #1, WA | 25 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 14 |
| Mcmillin Rsvr, WA | 579 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA | 370 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Tacoma
- Tacoma, WA 98411 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Mcchord Afb, WA 98438 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Federal Way, WA 98023 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
- Milton, WA 98354 · last Mar 8, first Nov 14
- Lakewood, WA 98499 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- University Place, WA 98467 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Puyallup, WA 98371 · last Mar 8, first Nov 14
- Gig Harbor, WA 98335 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tacoma, WA?
- For ZIP code 98401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tacoma Narrows Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Tacoma, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 254 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.