Frost dates for 98403Tacoma, 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 26 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 98403 is matched to the NOAA station Tacoma Narrows Ap, WA, 9 km away, at 292 ft elevation (26 ft lower 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 98401 · 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
- University Place, WA 98467 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Milton, WA 98354 · last Mar 8, first Nov 14
- Lakewood, WA 98499 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Gig Harbor, WA 98335 · last Mar 11, first Nov 21
- Puyallup, WA 98371 · last Mar 8, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tacoma, WA?
- For ZIP code 98403, 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 98403?
- 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.