Bellingham, WA planting zone & frost dates
Bellingham is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 1 and the first fall frost around November 2, for a growing season of about 216 days.
Planting calendar for Bellingham
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 1) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 7 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 2).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 11 | Apr 1 | Apr 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 23 | Nov 2 | Oct 15 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 6.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bellingham
- 98225 zone 8b
- 98226 zone 8a
- 98227 zone 8b
- 98228 zone 8b
- 98229 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Ferndale zone 8b, last frost Mar 31
- Lynden zone 8a, last frost Apr 18
- Anacortes zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Sedro-Woolley zone 8b, last frost Mar 27
- Mount Vernon zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Oak Harbor zone 8b, last frost Mar 13
- Camano zone 8b, last frost Mar 17
- Arlington zone 8a, last frost Apr 22
Questions
What growing zone is Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Bellingham?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bellingham is April 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bellingham?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 8 – Apr 15. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA (USC00450587), 4.9 km (3.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 5 m, based on 26 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.