Frost dates for 98834Methow, WA
The average last spring frost in Methow is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 19, giving a typical growing season of about 114 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 19
- Growing season
- 114 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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) | — | — | 68 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 25 · Jun 12 | Aug 29 · Sep 19 · Oct 4 | 114 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 20 | Sep 21 · Oct 6 · Oct 24 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Methow
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – May 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Aug 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98834 is matched to the NOAA station Holden Village, WA, 51.6 km away, at 3,218 ft elevation (268 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holden Village, WA (used) | 3,218 ft | May 25 | Sep 19 |
| Methow 2 S, WA | 1,135 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
| Chelan, WA | 1,194 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Chief Joseph Dam, WA | 834 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Methow
- Pateros, WA 98846 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Carlton, WA 98814 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Brewster, WA 98812 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Manson, WA 98831 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Twisp, WA 98856 · last May 15, first Sep 22
- Malott, WA 98829 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Chelan, WA 98816 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Bridgeport, WA 98813 · last Apr 26, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Methow, WA?
- For ZIP code 98834, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holden Village, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Methow, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98834?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 114 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.