Centralia, WA planting zone & frost dates

Centralia is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 22 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 188 days.

USDA hardiness zone8bavg. extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F

Average last spring frostApril 2290% chance of no frost after May 10

Average first fall frostOctober 2710% chance of frost by October 7

Growing season188 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Centralia

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 22) 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 25 – Mar 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).

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 30	Apr 22	May 10
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 17	Oct 27	Oct 7

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 7. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 23.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Centralia

98531 zone 8b

Nearby cities

Tumwater zone 8b, last frost Apr 29
Olympia zone 8b, last frost Apr 29
Lacey zone 8b, last frost Apr 29
Joint Base Lewis McChord zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
Kelso zone 8b, last frost Apr 8
Longview zone 8b, last frost Apr 8
Lakewood zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
Spanaway zone 8b, last frost Apr 11

All cities in Washington → · Other zone 8b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Centralia, WA?

Centralia 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 Centralia?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Centralia is April 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Centralia?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 29 – May 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Centralia, WA (USC00451276), 0.4 km (0.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 56 m, based on 21 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.