Frost dates for 98685Vancouver, WA
The average last spring frost in Vancouver is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 3 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 12 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 29 · Apr 18 | Oct 22 · Nov 9 · Nov 30 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 3 · Mar 27 | Nov 3 · Nov 26 · Dec 22 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vancouver
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98685 is matched to the NOAA station Vancouver Pearson Ap, WA, 10.9 km away, at 30 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Pearson Ap, WA (used) | 30 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 9 |
| Vancouver 4 Nne, WA | 210 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| Battle Ground, WA | 284 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 16 |
| Scappoose Ind Ap, OR | 55 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Vancouver
- Vancouver, WA 98665 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Ridgefield, WA 98642 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Portland, OR 97231 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Battle Ground, WA 98604 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Brush Prairie, WA 98606 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Scappoose, OR 97056 · last Apr 18, first Nov 7
- Warren, OR 97053 · last Apr 18, first Nov 7
- La Center, WA 98629 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vancouver, WA?
- For ZIP code 98685, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vancouver Pearson Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Vancouver, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98685?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.