Last frost date in Tacoma, WA

Average last frost
March 8

Expect the last frost in Tacoma around March 8. Frost after March 31 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 14, which leaves 250 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 30 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 31
Average first frost
Nov 14
Frost-free season
250 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 11
Next 6 nights in Tacoma

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is November 14.

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

  1. ThuOct 2241°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2439°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2740°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 8First frost Nov 14250 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND250 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tacoma #1, 2.3 miles from Tacoma.

Planting calendar for Tacoma

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 15–Mar 29
PumpkinsMar 22–Apr 5
SunflowersMar 8–Mar 29
CucumbersMar 22–Mar 29
CornMar 15–Mar 29
Sweet potatoesMar 29–Apr 12
WatermelonMar 22–Apr 5
Green beansMar 15–Apr 5
ZucchiniMar 15–Mar 29
OkraMar 29–Apr 12
PeppersMar 22–Apr 5
BasilMar 15–Mar 29
Butternut squashMar 15–Mar 29
CantaloupeMar 22–Apr 5
EggplantMar 22–Apr 5
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 8–Feb 22
OnionsJan 25–Feb 15
CarrotsFeb 15–Mar 22
LettuceFeb 22–Mar 15
BroccoliFeb 8–Feb 22
BeetsFeb 8–Mar 22
PeasJan 25–Feb 8
CabbageFeb 8–Feb 22
RadishesFeb 1–Mar 15
Brussels sproutsFeb 22–Mar 8
SpinachJan 25–Feb 15
CilantroFeb 22–Mar 15
KaleFeb 8–Feb 22
Collard greensFeb 8–Feb 22
TurnipsFeb 8–Feb 22
DillMar 8–Mar 22
CeleryMar 15–Mar 22
CauliflowerFeb 22–Mar 8
LeeksFeb 22–Mar 8
Swiss chardFeb 22–Mar 22
ParsleyFeb 22–Mar 15
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 31–Dec 5
GarlicOct 24–Nov 28
Daffodil bulbsOct 17–Nov 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 8–Feb 22
AsparagusFeb 8–Feb 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 15Mar 8Mar 31Oct 30Nov 14Dec 2
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 29Feb 11Mar 4Nov 8Dec 1Jan 1

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 Tacoma #1 (USC00458278) sits 2.3 miles from the center of Tacoma at 25 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 Tacoma, WA?

The average last frost date in Tacoma is March 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 31.

When is the first frost in Tacoma?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 14. One year in ten it arrives before October 30.

How long is the growing season in Tacoma?

About 250 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tacoma?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 15 to March 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Washington

All 76 cities in Washington