Frost dates for 98568Oakville, WA
The average last spring frost in Oakville is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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) | May 1 · May 19 · Jun 11 | Sep 12 · Sep 29 · Oct 15 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · May 1 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Nov 4 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 3 · May 3 | Oct 10 · Nov 2 · Nov 27 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oakville
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98568 is matched to the NOAA station Elma, WA, 21.7 km away, at 70 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elma, WA (used) | 70 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Centralia, WA | 185 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
| Olympia Ap, WA | 188 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
| Matlock 8 S, WA | 110 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Oakville
- Malone, WA 98559 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Rochester, WA 98579 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Littlerock, WA 98556 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Galvin, WA 98544 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Mccleary, WA 98557 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Olympia, WA 98512 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Tumwater, WA 98511 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Elma, WA 98541 · last May 1, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oakville, WA?
- For ZIP code 98568, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elma, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Oakville, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98568?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.