Last frost date in Lake Stevens, WA

Average last frost
March 24

The average last frost in Lake Stevens is March 24. By April 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 2, which leaves 223 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 11
Average first frost
Nov 2
Frost-free season
223 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 1
Next 6 nights in Lake Stevens

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 34°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is November 2.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2237°
  2. FriOct 2334°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2437°
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2737°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 24First frost Nov 2223 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND223 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Everett, 4.9 miles from Lake Stevens.

Planting calendar for Lake Stevens

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Washington.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 31–Apr 14
PumpkinsApr 7–Apr 21
SunflowersMar 24–Apr 14
CucumbersApr 7–Apr 14
CornMar 31–Apr 14
Sweet potatoesApr 14–Apr 28
WatermelonApr 7–Apr 21
Green beansMar 31–Apr 21
ZucchiniMar 31–Apr 14
OkraApr 14–Apr 28
PeppersApr 7–Apr 21
BasilMar 31–Apr 14
Butternut squashMar 31–Apr 14
CantaloupeApr 7–Apr 21
EggplantApr 7–Apr 21
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 24–Mar 10
OnionsFeb 10–Mar 3
CarrotsMar 3–Apr 7
LettuceMar 10–Mar 31
BroccoliFeb 24–Mar 10
BeetsFeb 24–Apr 7
PeasFeb 10–Feb 24
CabbageFeb 24–Mar 10
RadishesFeb 17–Mar 31
Brussels sproutsMar 10–Mar 24
SpinachFeb 10–Mar 3
CilantroMar 10–Mar 31
KaleFeb 24–Mar 10
Collard greensFeb 24–Mar 10
TurnipsFeb 24–Mar 10
DillMar 24–Apr 7
CeleryMar 31–Apr 7
CauliflowerMar 10–Mar 24
LeeksMar 10–Mar 24
Swiss chardMar 10–Apr 7
ParsleyMar 10–Mar 31
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 19–Nov 23
GarlicOct 12–Nov 16
Daffodil bulbsOct 5–Nov 16
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 24–Mar 10
AsparagusFeb 24–Mar 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 4Mar 24Apr 11Oct 16Nov 2Nov 23
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 31Mar 1Mar 20Oct 29Nov 21Dec 14

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Everett (USC00452675) sits 4.9 miles from the center of Lake Stevens at 60 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Lake Stevens, WA?

The average last frost date in Lake Stevens is March 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 11.

When is the first frost in Lake Stevens?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 2. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.

How long is the growing season in Lake Stevens?

About 223 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lake Stevens?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 31 to April 14. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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