Bellingham International Airport, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bellingham International Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 31
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
213 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 10 Mar 31 Apr 18
First fall frost Nov 17 Oct 30 Oct 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 4 · first Nov 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BELLINGHAM INTL AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bellingham International Airport

Computed from Bellingham International Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 3 – Feb 17 Apr 7 – Apr 14
🫑 Peppers Jan 20 – Feb 3 Apr 14 – Apr 21
🥬 Lettuce Feb 17 – Mar 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 3 – Mar 31
🫛 Peas Feb 17 – Mar 3
🥕 Carrots Mar 10 – Mar 31
🥦 Broccoli Feb 10 – Feb 24 Mar 10 – Mar 24
🥬 Kale Feb 17 – Mar 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 3 – Mar 17
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 3 – Mar 10 Apr 7 – Apr 14 Apr 7 – Apr 14
🥒 Zucchini Mar 3 – Mar 10 Apr 7 – Apr 14 Apr 7 – Apr 14
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 7 – Apr 14
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 7 – Apr 14
🌿 Basil Feb 17 – Mar 3 Apr 7 – Apr 14 Apr 14 – Apr 21
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 18 – Oct 16

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bellingham International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bellingham International Airport

With roughly 213 frost-free days, Bellingham International Airport gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Oct 30 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bellingham International Airport, WA?

The average last spring frost in Bellingham International Airport is around Mar 31, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bellingham International Airport, WA?

The average first fall frost in Bellingham International Airport arrives around Oct 30. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bellingham International Airport?

About 213 frost-free days on average, from Mar 31 to Oct 30. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Bellingham International Airport in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.