Coulee Dam 1 SW, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Coulee Dam 1 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 22
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 21
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
182 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 5 Apr 22 May 7
First fall frost Nov 5 Oct 21 Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 1 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COULEE DAM 1 SW 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 Coulee Dam 1 SW

Computed from Coulee Dam 1 SW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 25 – Mar 11 Apr 29 – May 6
🫑 Peppers Feb 11 – Feb 25 May 6 – May 13
🥬 Lettuce Mar 11 – Mar 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8 Mar 25 – Apr 22
🫛 Peas Mar 11 – Mar 25
🥕 Carrots Apr 1 – Apr 22
🥦 Broccoli Mar 4 – Mar 18 Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥬 Kale Mar 11 – Mar 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8 Mar 25 – Apr 8
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 25 – Apr 1 Apr 29 – May 6 Apr 29 – May 6
🥒 Zucchini Mar 25 – Apr 1 Apr 29 – May 6 Apr 29 – May 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 29 – May 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 29 – May 6
🌿 Basil Mar 11 – Mar 25 Apr 29 – May 6 May 6 – May 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 9 – Oct 7

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 Coulee Dam 1 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Coulee Dam 1 SW

Roughly 182 frost-free days gives Coulee Dam 1 SW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 22; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 21 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Coulee Dam 1 SW, WA?

The average last spring frost in Coulee Dam 1 SW is around Apr 22, 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 Coulee Dam 1 SW, WA?

The average first fall frost in Coulee Dam 1 SW arrives around Oct 21. 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 Coulee Dam 1 SW?

About 182 frost-free days on average, from Apr 22 to Oct 21. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Coulee Dam 1 SW in?

USDA zone 7a 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.