When is the last frost in Vancouver, WA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Vancouver is around March 29, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Vancouver Pearson Ap, WA station (2 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 Vancouver?

The average first fall frost in Vancouver, WA is around November 9, giving roughly a 223-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Vancouver, WA?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

In Vancouver, WA the warmest month is August (avg high 79°F) and the coldest is February (avg low 31.7°F). It averages about 42.3″ of precipitation a year and 0.8″ of snow.

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Vancouver, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 98661 · elevation 64′ · NOAA & USDA data

Vancouver is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 223 days between the average last spring frost (March 29) and first fall frost (November 9). The warmest month is August (avg high 79°F); the coldest is February (avg low 31.7°F). It averages 42.3″ of precipitation a year and 0.8″ 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 29

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

223 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 79°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Vancouver

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Vancouver 4 Nne, WA (2.9 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	45.3	31.9	38.6	6.1	0.5
February	49.4	31.7	40.6	4.1	0.1
March	54	34.9	44.4	4.4	0
April	59	38.4	48.7	3.6	0
May	66.1	44.3	55.2	2.8	0
June	70.8	48.9	59.8	1.8	0
July	78	52.8	65.4	0.5	0
August	79	52.1	65.5	0.6	0
September	73.7	46.9	60.3	1.6	0
October	62.1	40.5	51.3	3.6	0
November	51.2	35.7	43.5	6.3	0
December	44.6	31.7	38.2	6.8	0.2

What to plant when in Vancouver

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 15 · Transplant out: April 5
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 1 · Transplant out: April 12
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 5
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 5
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 5
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 5
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 5
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 22 · Sow (fall): September 14
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 14
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 1 · Sow (fall): September 14
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 8 · Sow (fall): August 31
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 15
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 8 · Sow (fall): August 31
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 1
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 15
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 1 · Sow (fall): September 28

Dates are computed from Vancouver'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

Olympia, WA Lacey, WA Puyallup, WA Lakewood, WA Tacoma, WA Federal Way, WA Auburn, WA Yakima, 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 — Vancouver Pearson Ap, WA, 2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Vancouver 4 Nne, WA, 2.9 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.