White Center, WA planting zone & frost dates
White Center is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 13 and the first fall frost around November 17, for a growing season of about 247 days.
Planting calendar for White Center
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 13) 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 16 – Jan 30 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 Transplant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 Transplant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 22 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 17).
Useful for zone 9a 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
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 20 | Mar 13 | Apr 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 6 | Nov 17 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 18.
Nearby cities
- Burien zone 9a, last frost Mar 2
- Seattle zone 9a, last frost Mar 13
- Columbia City zone 9a, last frost Mar 13
- SeaTac zone 9a, last frost Mar 2
- Tukwila zone 9a, last frost Mar 13
- Bryn Mawr-Skyway zone 9a, last frost Mar 13
- Des Moines zone 9a, last frost Mar 2
- Vashon zone 9a, last frost Mar 2
Questions
What growing zone is White Center, WA?
White Center is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in White Center?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in White Center is March 13. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in White Center?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 20 – Mar 27. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Seattle Boeing Fld, WA (USW00024234), 4.3 km (2.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 6 m, based on 18 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.