Frost dates for 98561Menlo, WA
The average last spring frost in Menlo is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 27 · May 13 · Jun 1 | Sep 14 · Sep 30 · Oct 18 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 7 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 27 · Apr 22 | Oct 15 · Nov 7 · Dec 6 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Menlo
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98561 is matched to the NOAA station Raymond 2 S, WA, 7.3 km away, at 30 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond 2 S, WA (used) | 30 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA | 100 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Naselle 2 Ene, WA | 50 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Grayland, WA | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Menlo
- Raymond, WA 98577 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Lebam, WA 98554 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- South Bend, WA 98586 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Bay Center, WA 98527 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Pe Ell, WA 98572 · last Apr 5, first Oct 25
- Tokeland, WA 98590 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Doty, WA 98539 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Grays River, WA 98621 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Menlo, WA?
- For ZIP code 98561, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raymond 2 S, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Menlo, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98561?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.