Yakima, WA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 8
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
149 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
7a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 24 May 8 May 27
First fall frost Oct 17 Oct 4 Sep 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 23 · first Oct 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Yakima Air Terminal station (4 km from central Yakima). "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 Yakima

Computed from Yakima'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 Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 15 – May 22
🫑 Peppers Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 22 – May 29
🥬 Lettuce Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – May 8
🫛 Peas Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥕 Carrots Apr 17 – May 8
🥦 Broccoli Mar 20 – Apr 3 Apr 17 – May 1
🥬 Kale Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – Apr 24
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – May 22 May 15 – May 22
🥒 Zucchini Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – May 22 May 15 – May 22
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 15 – May 22
🌽 Sweet Corn May 15 – May 22
🌿 Basil Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 15 – May 22 May 22 – May 29
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 23 – Sep 20

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 Yakima's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Yakima

At about 149 frost-free days, Yakima rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Yakima, WA?

The average last spring frost in Yakima is around May 8, 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 Yakima, WA?

The average first fall frost in Yakima arrives around Oct 4. 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 Yakima?

About 149 frost-free days on average, from May 8 to Oct 4. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Yakima 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.