Cheney, WA planting zone & frost dates
Cheney is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 30 and the first fall frost around September 4, for a growing season of about 94 days.
Planting calendar for Cheney
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 30) 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: Apr 4 – Apr 18 Transplant outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4 Transplant outdoors: Jun 13 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4 Transplant outdoors: Jun 13 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: May 2 – May 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 18 – May 2 Transplant outdoors: Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Jul 10 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 4).
Useful for zone 6b 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
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 9 | May 30 | Jul 13 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Sep 19 | Sep 4 | Aug 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after July 13, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before August 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cheney
- 99004 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Spokane zone 7a, last frost Apr 26
- Spokane Valley zone 7a, last frost Apr 26
- Pullman zone 6b, last frost May 6
- Walla Walla zone 7a, last frost Mar 27
- Moses Lake zone 7a, last frost Apr 27
- Pasco zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Kennewick zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Richland zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
Questions
What growing zone is Cheney, WA?
Cheney is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Cheney?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cheney is May 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until July 13.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cheney?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jun 6 – Jun 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Spokane 17 Ssw, WA (USW00004136), 8.6 km (5.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 691 m, based on 13 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.