Tacoma, WA planting zone & frost dates
Tacoma is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 8 and the first fall frost around November 14, for a growing season of about 250 days.
Planting calendar for Tacoma
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 8) 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: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 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 | Feb 15 | Mar 8 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 2 | Nov 14 | Oct 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 11.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Tacoma
- 98401 zone 9a
- 98402 zone 8b
- 98403 zone 8b
- 98404 zone 8b
- 98405 zone 8b
- 98406 zone 8b
- 98407 zone 9a
- 98408 zone 8b
- 98409 zone 8b
- 98411 zone 8b
- 98412 zone 8b
- 98413 zone 8b
- 98415 zone 8b
- 98417 zone 8b
- 98418 zone 8b
- 98419 zone 8b
- 98421 zone 9a
- 98422 zone 8b
- 98424 zone 8b
- 98431 zone 8b
- 98433 zone 8b
- 98443 zone 8b
- 98444 zone 8b
- 98445 zone 8b
- 98446 zone 8b
- 98448 zone 8b
- 98464 zone 8b
- 98465 zone 9a
- 98466 zone 8b
- 98471 zone 8b
- 98481 zone 8b
- 98490 zone 8b
- 98493 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Parkland zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- University Place zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
- Lakewood zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
- Federal Way zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Spanaway zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- Lakeland South zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Puyallup zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
- Frederickson zone 8b, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma 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 9a.
When is the last frost in Tacoma?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Tacoma is March 8. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tacoma?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 15 – Mar 22. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Tacoma #1, WA (USC00458278), 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 8 m, based on 26 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.