When is the last frost in Federal Way, WA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Federal Way is around March 8, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Tacoma #1, WA station (6.1 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Federal Way?

The average first fall frost in Federal Way, WA is around November 14, giving roughly a 250-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Federal Way, WA?

Federal Way is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Federal Way?

In Federal Way, WA the warmest month is August (avg high 77.6°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 37.1°F). It averages about 39.3″ of precipitation a year and 6.3″ of snow.

Home › Washington › Federal Way

Federal Way, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 98003 · elevation 113′ · NOAA & USDA data

Federal Way is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 250 days between the average last spring frost (March 8) and first fall frost (November 14). The warmest month is August (avg high 77.6°F); the coldest is December (avg low 37.1°F). It averages 39.3″ of precipitation a year and 6.3″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 8

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 14

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

250 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 77.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Federal Way

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA (9.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	48	37.7	42.8	5.8	1.8
February	50.3	37.7	44	3.8	2.2
March	54.2	39.9	47.1	4.2	0.4
April	59.3	43.3	51.3	3.2	0
May	66.3	48.7	57.5	1.9	0
June	71.1	53	62	1.5	0
July	77.4	56.8	67.1	0.6	0
August	77.6	57.2	67.4	1	0
September	71.6	53.6	62.6	1.6	0
October	60.5	47	53.8	3.9	0
November	52.1	40.9	46.5	6.3	0.2
December	47	37.1	42	5.7	1.7

What to plant when in Federal Way

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 25 · Transplant out: March 15
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 11 · Transplant out: March 22
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 15
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 15
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 15
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 15
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 15
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 1 · Sow (fall): September 19
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 25 · Sow (fall): September 19
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 8 · Sow (fall): September 19
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 5
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 22
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 5
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 8
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 22
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 8 · Sow (fall): October 3

Dates are computed from Federal Way's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Washington

Auburn, WA Kent, WA Tacoma, WA Puyallup, WA Renton, WA Lakewood, WA Seattle, WA Bellevue, WA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Tacoma #1, WA, 6.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA, 9.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.