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Renton, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9a · ZIP 98057 · elevation 113′ · NOAA & USDA data

Renton is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (winters can dip to 20 to 25°F), with a growing season of about 248 days between the average last spring frost (March 13) and first fall frost (November 16). 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
9a
min temp 20 to 25°F
Last spring frost
March 13
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 16
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
248 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
August
avg high 77.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Renton

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA (4.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (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 Renton

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: January 30 · Transplant out: March 20
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 16 · Transplant out: March 27
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 20
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 20
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 20
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 20
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 20
PeascoolSow (spring): February 6 · Sow (fall): September 21
SpinachcoolSow (spring): January 30 · Sow (fall): September 21
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 13 · Sow (fall): September 21
KalecoolTransplant (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 7
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): February 27
CarrotscoolSow (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 7
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 13
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: February 27
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 13 · Sow (fall): October 5

Dates are computed from Renton'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

Kent, WASeattle, WABellevue, WAAuburn, WASammamish, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WARedmond, 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 — Renton Muni Ap, WA, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Seattle Tacoma Intl Ap, WA, 4.8 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.