Frost dates for 98853Stratford, WA
The average last spring frost in Stratford is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 22 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 25 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stratford
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 98853 is matched to the NOAA station Ephrata Muni Ap, WA, 22 km away, at 1,252 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephrata Muni Ap, WA (used) | 1,252 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| Moses Lake Grant Co Ap, WA | 1,196 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 8 |
| Hartline, WA | 1,906 ft | May 2 | Oct 12 |
| Odessa, WA | 1,543 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Stratford
- Wilson Creek, WA 98860 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Soap Lake, WA 98851 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Coulee City, WA 99115 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Marlin, WA 98832 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Ephrata, WA 98823 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Hartline, WA 99135 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Moses Lake, WA 98837 · last Apr 27, first Oct 8
- Odessa, WA 99159 · last May 14, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stratford, WA?
- For ZIP code 98853, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ephrata Muni Ap, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Stratford, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 98853?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.