Frost dates for 99359Starbuck, WA
The average last spring frost in Starbuck is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 28 · May 12 · Jun 3 | Sep 14 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 6 · Apr 28 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Starbuck
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99359 is matched to the NOAA station Dayton 1 Wsw, WA, 23.3 km away, at 1,557 ft elevation (803 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton 1 Wsw, WA (used) | 1,557 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
| Lacrosse, WA | 1,476 ft | May 13 | Sep 26 |
| Pomeroy, WA | 1,934 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Hatton 9 Se, WA | 1,505 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Starbuck
- Hay, WA 99136 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Dayton, WA 99328 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Hooper, WA 99333 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Waitsburg, WA 99361 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Prescott, WA 99348 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Washtucna, WA 99371 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Kahlotus, WA 99335 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
- Lacrosse, WA 99143 · last May 13, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Starbuck, WA?
- For ZIP code 99359, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dayton 1 Wsw, WA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Starbuck, WA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99359?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.