When is the last frost in Yakima, WA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Yakima is around April 8, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Yakima #2, WA station (1.8 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 Yakima?

The average first fall frost in Yakima, WA is around October 23, giving roughly a 196-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Yakima, WA?

Yakima is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Yakima?

In Yakima, WA the warmest month is July (avg high 89.9°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 23.1°F). It averages about 8″ of precipitation a year and 20.3″ of snow.

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Yakima, WA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 98902 · elevation 324′ · NOAA & USDA data

Yakima is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 196 days between the average last spring frost (April 8) and first fall frost (October 23). The warmest month is July (avg high 89.9°F); the coldest is December (avg low 23.1°F). It averages 8″ of precipitation a year and 20.3″ 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 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 8

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

196 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 89.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Yakima

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Yakima Air Terminal, WA (2.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	39.5	24	31.7	1.2	6.2
February	47.2	26.1	36.6	0.8	2.7
March	56.6	30.2	43.4	0.6	0.6
April	64.7	35.2	49.9	0.6	0
May	74.1	43.5	58.8	0.7	0
June	80.7	49.5	65.1	0.5	0
July	89.9	55	72.4	0.2	0
August	88.5	53.3	70.9	0.2	0
September	79.4	44.9	62.2	0.2	0
October	64.4	35.3	49.8	0.6	0.1
November	48.9	27.2	38	0.9	3
December	38.2	23.1	30.6	1.4	7.7

What to plant when in Yakima

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 25 · Transplant out: April 15
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 11 · Transplant out: April 22
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 15
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 15
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 15
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 15
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 15
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): August 28
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 25 · Sow (fall): August 28
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 28
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 14
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 14
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 11
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 25
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): September 11

Dates are computed from Yakima'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

Richland, WA Kennewick, WA Pasco, WA Puyallup, WA Auburn, WA Kent, WA Federal Way, WA Sammamish, 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 — Yakima #2, WA, 1.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Yakima Air Terminal, WA, 2.1 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.