Olympia, WA planting zone & frost dates
Olympia is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 29 and the first fall frost around October 14, for a growing season of about 169 days.
Planting calendar for Olympia
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 29) 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: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 14).
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 | Apr 11 | Apr 29 | May 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 1 | Oct 14 | Sep 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Olympia
- 98501 zone 8a
- 98502 zone 8b
- 98504 zone 8b
- 98505 zone 8b
- 98506 zone 8b
- 98507 zone 8b
- 98508 zone 8b
- 98512 zone 8a
- 98513 zone 8b
- 98516 zone 8b
- 98599 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Tumwater zone 8b, last frost Apr 29
- Lacey zone 8b, last frost Apr 29
- Joint Base Lewis McChord zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
- Centralia zone 8b, last frost Apr 22
- Artondale zone 9a, last frost Mar 11
- University Place zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
- Lakewood zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
- Spanaway zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Olympia, WA?
Olympia 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 Olympia?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Olympia is April 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in Olympia?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 6 – May 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Olympia Ap, WA (USW00024227), 8.0 km (5.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 57 m, based on 30 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.