Cougar 6 E, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Cougar 6 E garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
231 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 6 Apr 1 May 2
First fall frost Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 22 · first Dec 7

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COUGAR 6 E station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Cougar 6 E

Computed from Cougar 6 E's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 4 – Feb 18 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🫑 Peppers Jan 21 – Feb 4 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🥬 Lettuce Feb 18 – Mar 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 4 – Apr 1
🫛 Peas Feb 18 – Mar 4
🥕 Carrots Mar 11 – Apr 1
🥦 Broccoli Feb 11 – Feb 25 Mar 11 – Mar 25
🥬 Kale Feb 18 – Mar 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 4 – Mar 11 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🥒 Zucchini Mar 4 – Mar 11 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 8 – Apr 15
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 8 – Apr 15
🌿 Basil Feb 18 – Mar 4 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 7 – Nov 4

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Cougar 6 E's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Cougar 6 E

With roughly 231 frost-free days, Cougar 6 E gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 18 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Cougar 6 E, WA?

The average last spring frost in Cougar 6 E is around Apr 1, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Cougar 6 E, WA?

The average first fall frost in Cougar 6 E arrives around Nov 18. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Cougar 6 E?

About 231 frost-free days on average, from Apr 1 to Nov 18. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Cougar 6 E in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.