Bonney Lake, WA planting zone & frost dates
Bonney Lake is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 11 and the first fall frost around October 30, for a growing season of about 202 days.
Planting calendar for Bonney Lake
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 11) 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 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 4 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 30).
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 23 | Apr 11 | Apr 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 17 | Oct 30 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bonney Lake
- 98391 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Prairie Ridge zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- South Hill zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- Puyallup zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- Auburn zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Lakeland South zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Lea Hill zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Graham zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- Lake Morton-Berrydale zone 8b, last frost Apr 20
Questions
What growing zone is Bonney Lake, WA?
Bonney Lake is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Bonney Lake?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bonney Lake is April 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bonney Lake?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 18 – Apr 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Mcmillin Rsvr, WA (USC00455224), 7.0 km (4.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 176 m, based on 24 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.