Startup 1 E, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Startup 1 E garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 25
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
193 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 25 Apr 15 May 7
First fall frost Nov 15 Oct 25 Oct 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 18 · first Nov 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the STARTUP 1 E 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 Startup 1 E

Computed from Startup 1 E's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 18 – Mar 4 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🫑 Peppers Feb 4 – Feb 18 Apr 29 – May 6
🥬 Lettuce Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1 Mar 18 – Apr 15
🫛 Peas Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥕 Carrots Mar 25 – Apr 15
🥦 Broccoli Feb 25 – Mar 11 Mar 25 – Apr 8
🥬 Kale Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1 Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 18 – Mar 25 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🥒 Zucchini Mar 18 – Mar 25 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 22 – Apr 29
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 22 – Apr 29
🌿 Basil Mar 4 – Mar 18 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 29 – May 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 13 – Oct 11

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 Startup 1 E's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Startup 1 E

Roughly 193 frost-free days gives Startup 1 E gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 15; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 25 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Startup 1 E, WA?

The average last spring frost in Startup 1 E is around Apr 15, 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 Startup 1 E, WA?

The average first fall frost in Startup 1 E arrives around Oct 25. 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 Startup 1 E?

About 193 frost-free days on average, from Apr 15 to Oct 25. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Startup 1 E in?

USDA zone 7a 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.