Last frost date in Olympia, WA

Average last frost
April 29

The average last frost in Olympia is April 29. By May 15 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 14, which leaves 169 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 28 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 15
Average first frost
Oct 14
Frost-free season
169 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 5
Next 6 nights in Olympia

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 35°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2239°
  2. FriOct 2335°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2438°
  4. SunOct 2537°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2736°possible frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 14169 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND169 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Olympia Airport, 4.7 miles from Olympia.

Planting calendar for Olympia

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
TomatoesMay 6–May 20
PumpkinsMay 13–May 27
SunflowersApr 29–May 20
CucumbersMay 13–May 20
CornMay 6–May 20
Sweet potatoesMay 20–Jun 3
WatermelonMay 13–May 27
Green beansMay 6–May 27
ZucchiniMay 6–May 20
OkraMay 20–Jun 3
PeppersMay 13–May 27
BasilMay 6–May 20
Butternut squashMay 6–May 20
CantaloupeMay 13–May 27
EggplantMay 13–May 27
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 1–Apr 15
OnionsMar 18–Apr 8
CarrotsApr 8–May 13
LettuceApr 15–May 6
BroccoliApr 1–Apr 15
BeetsApr 1–May 13
PeasMar 18–Apr 1
CabbageApr 1–Apr 15
RadishesMar 25–May 6
Brussels sproutsApr 15–Apr 29
SpinachMar 18–Apr 8
CilantroApr 15–May 6
KaleApr 1–Apr 15
Collard greensApr 1–Apr 15
TurnipsApr 1–Apr 15
DillApr 29–May 13
CeleryMay 6–May 13
CauliflowerApr 15–Apr 29
LeeksApr 15–Apr 29
Swiss chardApr 15–May 13
ParsleyApr 15–May 6
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 30–Nov 4
GarlicSep 23–Oct 28
Daffodil bulbsSep 16–Oct 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 11Apr 29May 15Sep 28Oct 14Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 12Apr 5Apr 29Oct 9Nov 1Nov 24

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 Olympia Airport (USW00024227) sits 4.7 miles from the center of Olympia at 188 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 Olympia, WA?

The average last frost date in Olympia is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 15.

When is the first frost in Olympia?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 14. One year in ten it arrives before September 28.

How long is the growing season in Olympia?

About 169 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Olympia?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Washington

All 76 cities in Washington