Richland, Washington planting calendar and frost dates
Richland is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost typically comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around October 24, giving about 200 frost-free days a year.
- Hardiness zone
- Zone 7b
- Typical last frost
- April 6
- Typical first frost
- October 24
- Frost-free season
- 200 days
Frost dates in Richland
Last spring frost
- March 22Risky: frost later than this in 9 years out of 10
- April 6Typical: a later frost in half of years
- April 24Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
First fall frost
- October 10Risky: frost earlier than this 1 year in 10
- October 24Typical: an earlier frost in half of years
- November 8Late: frost before this in 9 years out of 10
The growing season between the typical last and first frosts is about 200 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 March 18 and returns around November 4.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Richland, 4.8 miles NNE of the city center and 146 feet lower. 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 Richland
January
Start indoors: broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, leeks, onions, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, snapdragons
February
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, ginger, kale, leeks, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard
Plant or sow outdoors: black-eyed susans, blueberries, garlic, grapes, grass seed, hollyhocks, onions, peas, poppies, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, turnips, wildflowers
March
Start indoors: basil, celery, cilantro, eggplants, ginger, marigolds, nasturtiums, peppers, ranunculus, spinach, swiss chard, tomatoes
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
April
Start indoors: basil, cantaloupes, cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, beets, carrots, chives, cilantro, dahlias, dill, figs, garden mums, ginger, gladioli, grapes, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, lavenders, leeks, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, perennial ryegrass, petunias, potatoes, ranunculus, rosemary, roses, sage, snapdragons, spinach, sunflowers, sweet corn, sweet peas, swiss chard, tall fescue, thyme
May
Start indoors: cosmos, okra, zinnias
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, basil, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, garden mums, ginger, green beans, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, peppers, perennial ryegrass, pumpkins, st. augustinegrass, sweet peas, tall fescue, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
June
Start indoors: zinnias
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, celery, centipedegrass, cosmos, green onions, okra, peanuts, st. augustinegrass, sweet potatoes, zinnias, zoysiagrass
July
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, zinnias, zoysiagrass
Plant for fall: brussels sprouts, collard greens, lettuce, swiss chard
August
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
September
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, clematis, coneflowers, crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, grass seed, hostas, hyacinths, hydrangeas, kale, kentucky bluegrass, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, perennial ryegrass, radishes, roses, saffron, spinach, tall fescue, tulips, turnips
October
Plant for fall: crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, garlic, hyacinths, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, tulips
November
Plant for fall: crocuses, garlic, hyacinths, ornamental alliums, tulips
December
Start indoors: onions
Frost dates and zones by ZIP code in Richland
All 3 of Richland's main ZIP codes take their frost dates from Richland, so the dates on this page apply across the city. Every one of them is in zone 7b.
Planting dates for popular crops in Richland
| Plant | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 to 30 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Strawberries | — | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 to 23 | Mar 30 to Apr 13 | Jul 25 to Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Apr 6 to 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | May 11 to 18 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 2 to 9 | — |
| Garlic | — | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Oct 24 to Nov 7 |
| Onions | Dec 15 to Jan 26 | Mar 9 to 23 | — |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 to 27 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Pumpkins | Apr 13 to 27 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 to Mar 23 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Carrots | — | Mar 16 to Apr 6 | Aug 1 to 22 |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 to 11 | — |
| Watermelons | Apr 6 to 20 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | Apr 6 to 20 | — |
| Green Beans | — | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 to 27 | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 to Feb 9 | Mar 9 to 23 | Aug 8 to Sep 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Aug 1 to 15 |
| Spinach | Feb 23 to Mar 2 | Mar 30 to Apr 13 | Aug 15 to Sep 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 6 to 27 | — |
| Zinnias | May 31 to Jun 7 | Jun 28 to Jul 12 | — |
| Tulips | — | — | Sep 12 to Nov 7 |
| Daffodils | — | — | Sep 12 to Oct 24 |
| Grass Seed | — | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Sep 12 to 26 |
Nearby cities
- Kennewick, WA zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Pasco, WA zone 7a, last frost Apr 7
- Yakima, WA zone 7a, last frost May 8
- Spokane, WA zone 6b, last frost Apr 26
- Spokane Valley, WA zone 7a, last frost Apr 26
- Coeur d'Alene, ID zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
Planting in WashingtonAbout zone 7bPrintable calendar for Richland
Questions
When is the last frost in Richland?
Around April 6 in a typical year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 records for Richland. There is still a 1 in 10 chance of frost after April 24.
What planting zone is Richland in?
USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 map). The zone tells you which perennials survive the winter; planting dates depend on frost dates instead.
When should I plant tomatoes in Richland?
Start seeds indoors March 16 to 30 and set plants out May 11 to 25.
When is the first frost in Richland?
Around October 24 in a typical year, and before October 10 about 1 year in 10.