Seattle Frost Dates
Seattle, WA · USDA Zone 8b
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00024233).
Seattle is in USDA Zone 8b. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~March) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~November).
Seattle planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Seattle
The Seattle average first frost is around November 23, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Nov 2 | Nov 30 |
| Cilantro | Oct 9 | Nov 23 |
| Kale | Oct 8 | Dec 7 |
| Beets | Oct 6 | Nov 30 |
| Lettuce | Oct 4 | Nov 23 |
| Carrots | Sep 28 | Dec 7 |
| Broccoli | Sep 26 | Nov 30 |
| Peas | Sep 24 | Nov 23 |
| Zucchini | Sep 1 | Oct 26 |
| Beans (bush) | Sep 1 | Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 27 | Oct 26 |
| Potatoes | Aug 21 | Nov 19 |
| Tomatoes | Aug 12 | Oct 26 |
| Peppers | Aug 7 | Oct 26 |
| Eggplant | Aug 2 | Oct 26 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Seattle: garlic ( Nov 23 to Dec 21) , onions ( Oct 12 to Nov 2) , spinach ( Oct 12 to Oct 26) , parsley ( Oct 12 to Oct 26) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Seattle's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Seattle.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Seattle.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Seattle season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Seattle.
- Winter sowing guide
Winter sowing dates for Seattle.
More frost dates
Other cities: New York, NY , Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Philadelphia, PA , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Denver, CO , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Seattle?
On average, around March.
What planting zone is Seattle, WA?
Seattle is in USDA hardiness Zone 8b.
When is the first frost in Seattle?
On average, around November 23. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Seattle?
radishes (sow by Nov 2), cilantro (sow by Oct 9), kale (sow by Oct 8), beets (sow by Oct 6), lettuce (sow by Oct 4), carrots (sow by Sep 28). Each date is counted back from the Seattle first frost around November 23.