Frost dates for 98602Appleton, WA
The average last spring frost in Appleton is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 17 · Jun 8 · Jul 2 | Sep 1 · Sep 25 · Oct 9 | 106 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 12 · Jun 7 | Sep 24 · Oct 11 · Oct 28 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 9 · Oct 28 · Nov 16 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Appleton
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 | Apr 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98602 is matched to the NOAA station Snowden, WA, 4.8 km away, at 2,415 ft elevation (43 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowden, WA (used) | 2,415 ft | May 12 | Oct 11 |
| Glenwood #2, WA | 1,902 ft | — | — |
| Mt Adams Rs, WA | 1,950 ft | May 18 | Sep 25 |
| Hood Rvr Exp Stn, OR | 500 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Appleton
- Lyle, WA 98635 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Klickitat, WA 98628 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Wahkiacus, WA 98670 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Husum, WA 98623 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- White Salmon, WA 98672 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
- Glenwood, WA 98619 · last —, first —
- Trout Lake, WA 98650 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Mosier, OR 97040 · last Apr 20, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Appleton, WA?
- For ZIP code 98602, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Snowden, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Appleton, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98602?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.