Federal Way, Washington planting calendar and frost dates
Federal Way is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost typically comes around March 2 and the first fall frost around November 23, giving about 266 frost-free days a year.
- Typical last frost
- March 2
- Typical first frost
- November 23
- Frost-free season
- 266 days
Frost dates in Federal Way
Last spring frost
- February 5Risky: frost later than this in 9 years out of 10
- March 2Typical: a later frost in half of years
- March 23Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
First fall frost
- November 6Risky: frost earlier than this 1 year in 10
- November 23Typical: an earlier frost in half of years
- December 15Late: frost before this in 9 years out of 10
The growing season between the typical last and first frosts is about 266 days. Frost here means a low of 32°F at the weather station. A hard freeze (28°F), which damages most hardy crops too, typically ends around February 4 and returns around December 10.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Seattle Tacoma International Airport, 9.6 miles N of the city center. Low-lying and rural spots often frost later in spring and earlier in fall than airports and city centers.
What to plant each month in Federal Way
January
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, leeks, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard
Plant or sow outdoors: black-eyed susans, blueberries, garlic, grapes, grass seed, hollyhocks, kale, onions, peas, poppies, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, turnips, wildflowers
February
Start indoors: cilantro, marigolds, nasturtiums, ranunculus, zinnias
Plant or sow outdoors: beets, black-eyed susans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, dahlias, dill, figs, garlic, gladioli, grapes, grass seed, hollyhocks, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, poppies, radishes, ranunculus, raspberries, rhubarb, roses, snapdragons, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, turnips, wildflowers
March
Start indoors: eggplants, ginger, peppers
Plant or sow outdoors: beets, carrots, chives, cilantro, dahlias, dill, figs, garden mums, gladioli, grapes, lavenders, leeks, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, roses, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard, thyme, zinnias
April
Start indoors: basil, cantaloupes, celery, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, watermelons
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, green onions, potatoes, st. augustinegrass, sunflowers, sweet corn
May
Start indoors: cantaloupes, cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, ginger, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, st. augustinegrass, sweet peas, tall fescue
June
Plant or sow outdoors: basil, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, green onions, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
July
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, celery, centipedegrass, cosmos, okra, peanuts, sweet potatoes, zoysiagrass
August
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, zoysiagrass
Plant for fall: bearded irises, brussels sprouts, carrots, collard greens, lettuce, peas, potatoes, snapdragons, sweet corn, swiss chard
September
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, clematis, collard greens, coneflowers, daylilies, hostas, hydrangeas, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, roses, saffron, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard, turnips
October
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, clematis, coneflowers, crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, grass seed, hostas, hyacinths, hydrangeas, kale, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, radishes, roses, saffron, spinach, tulips, turnips
November
Start indoors: onions
Plant for fall: crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, garlic, hyacinths, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, tulips
December
Start indoors: broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, leeks, onions, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, snapdragons
Plant for fall: crocuses, garlic, hyacinths, ornamental alliums, tulips
Frost dates and zones by ZIP code in Federal Way
All 3 of Federal Way's main ZIP codes take their frost dates from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, so the dates on this page apply across the city. Every one of them is in zone 8b.
| ZIP code | Zone | Weather station | Typical last frost | Typical first frost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98001 | 8b | Seattle Tacoma International Airport, 9.6 mi NNW | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| 98003 | 8b | Seattle Tacoma International Airport, 9.6 mi N | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| 98023 | 8b | Seattle Tacoma International Airport, 9.5 mi NNE | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
Seattle Tacoma International Airport also supplies the frost dates for Burien, so their planting calendars match Federal Way's.
Planting dates for popular crops in Federal Way
| Plant | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 to 20 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Strawberries | — | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 to 19 | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Aug 24 to Sep 28 |
| Cilantro | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Mar 2 to 9 | — |
| Basil | Apr 13 to 27 | Jun 1 to 8 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9 to 16 | Aug 3 to 10 |
| Garlic | — | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Nov 23 to Dec 7 |
| Onions | Nov 10 to Dec 22 | Feb 2 to 16 | — |
| Cucumbers | May 4 to 18 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Pumpkins | May 4 to 18 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Peppers | Mar 16 to Apr 13 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Carrots | — | Feb 9 to Mar 2 | Aug 31 to Sep 21 |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jul 3 to 10 | — |
| Watermelons | Apr 27 to May 11 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | Apr 9 to 23 | Aug 17 to 31 |
| Green Beans | — | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Zucchini | May 4 to 18 | Jun 1 to 15 | — |
| Broccoli | Dec 15 to Jan 5 | Feb 2 to 16 | Sep 7 to Oct 5 |
| Peas | — | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Jan 19 to 26 | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Sep 14 to Oct 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9 to 30 | — |
| Zinnias | Feb 2 to 9 | Mar 2 to 16 | — |
| Tulips | — | — | Oct 12 to Dec 7 |
| Daffodils | — | — | Oct 12 to Nov 23 |
| Grass Seed | — | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Oct 12 to 26 |
Nearby cities
- Auburn, WA zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Tacoma, WA zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Kent, WA zone 9a, last frost Mar 20
- Burien, WA zone 9a, last frost Mar 2
- Renton, WA zone 9a, last frost Mar 20
- Lakewood, WA zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
Planting in WashingtonAbout zone 8bPrintable calendar for Federal Way
Questions
When is the last frost in Federal Way?
Around March 2 in a typical year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 records for Seattle Tacoma International Airport. There is still a 1 in 10 chance of frost after March 23.
What planting zone is Federal Way in?
USDA hardiness zone 8b (2023 map), with parts of the city in zone 9a. The zone tells you which perennials survive the winter; planting dates depend on frost dates instead.
When should I plant tomatoes in Federal Way?
Start seeds indoors April 6 to 20 and set plants out June 1 to 15.
When is the first frost in Federal Way?
Around November 23 in a typical year, and before November 6 about 1 year in 10.