Ferndale, WA planting zone & frost dates
Ferndale is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 31 and the first fall frost around October 30, for a growing season of about 211 days.
Planting calendar for Ferndale
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 31) 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 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
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 10 | Mar 31 | Apr 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 17 | Oct 30 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Ferndale
- 98248 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Bellingham zone 8b, last frost Apr 1
- 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 Ferndale, WA?
Ferndale 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 Ferndale?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Ferndale is March 31. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Ferndale?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 7 – Apr 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bellingham Intl Ap, WA (USW00024217), 7.1 km (4.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 45 m, based on 28 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.