Frost dates for 98530Bucoda, WA
The average last spring frost in Bucoda is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 24 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 22 · Oct 8 · Oct 26 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 27 · Nov 17 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 23 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 13 · Dec 7 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bucoda
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98530 is matched to the NOAA station Centralia, WA, 10.7 km away, at 185 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia, WA (used) | 185 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
| Olympia Ap, WA | 188 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
| Toledo Faa Ap, WA | 379 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 25 |
| Mayfield Pwr Plt, WA | 280 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Bucoda
- Tenino, WA 98589 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Centralia, WA 98531 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Rochester, WA 98579 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Galvin, WA 98544 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Littlerock, WA 98556 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Rainier, WA 98576 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Chehalis, WA 98532 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Olympia, WA 98512 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bucoda, WA?
- For ZIP code 98530, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Centralia, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Bucoda, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98530?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.