Spokane, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 12
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
169 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 9 Apr 26 May 10
First fall frost Oct 28 Oct 12 Sep 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 6 · first Oct 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Spokane International Airport station (8 km from central Spokane). "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 Spokane

Computed from Spokane's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 1 – Mar 15 May 3 – May 10
🫑 Peppers Feb 15 – Mar 1 May 10 – May 17
🥬 Lettuce Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12 Mar 29 – Apr 26
🫛 Peas Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥕 Carrots Apr 5 – Apr 26
🥦 Broccoli Mar 8 – Mar 22 Apr 5 – Apr 19
🥬 Kale Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12 Mar 29 – Apr 12
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 29 – Apr 5 May 3 – May 10 May 3 – May 10
🥒 Zucchini Mar 29 – Apr 5 May 3 – May 10 May 3 – May 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 3 – May 10
🌽 Sweet Corn May 3 – May 10
🌿 Basil Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 3 – May 10 May 10 – May 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 31 – Sep 28

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 Spokane's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Spokane

Roughly 169 frost-free days gives Spokane gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 26; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 12 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Spokane, WA?

The average last spring frost in Spokane is around Apr 26, 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 Spokane, WA?

The average first fall frost in Spokane arrives around Oct 12. 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 Spokane?

About 169 frost-free days on average, from Apr 26 to Oct 12. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Spokane in?

USDA zone 6b 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.