When is the last frost in Olympia, WA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Olympia is around April 29, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Olympia Ap, WA station (1.3 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 Olympia?

The average first fall frost in Olympia, WA is around October 14, giving roughly a 169-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Olympia, WA?

Olympia is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Olympia?

In Olympia, WA the warmest month is August (avg high 78°F) and the coldest is February (avg low 32.3°F). It averages about 50.6″ of precipitation a year and 3.9″ of snow.

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Olympia, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 98501 · elevation 57′ · NOAA & USDA data

Olympia is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 169 days between the average last spring frost (April 29) and first fall frost (October 14). The warmest month is August (avg high 78°F); the coldest is February (avg low 32.3°F). It averages 50.6″ of precipitation a year and 3.9″ 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 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

April 29

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 14

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

169 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 78°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Olympia

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Olympia Ap, WA (1.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	46	33.2	39.6	7.8	2
February	49.1	32.3	40.7	5.1	0.6
March	53.7	34.5	44.1	5.7	0.1
April	58.9	37.5	48.2	3.7	0
May	66.1	43	54.5	2.3	0
June	70.8	47.4	59.1	1.5	0
July	77.6	50.7	64.2	0.5	0
August	78	50.5	64.2	1	0
September	72.1	46.2	59.1	2	0
October	60.2	40.5	50.3	5.1	0
November	50.6	35.8	43.2	8.2	0
December	44.9	32.8	38.9	7.9	1.2

What to plant when in Olympia

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 18 · Transplant out: May 6
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 4 · Transplant out: May 13
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 6
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 6
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 6
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 6
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 6
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 19
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 19
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 19
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 8 · Sow (fall): August 5
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 15
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 8 · Sow (fall): August 5
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 15
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): September 2

Dates are computed from Olympia'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.

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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

Lacey, WA Lakewood, WA Tacoma, WA Puyallup, WA Federal Way, WA Auburn, WA Kent, WA Bremerton, 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 — Olympia Ap, WA, 1.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Olympia Ap, WA, 1.3 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.