Frost Dates for Richland, WA

In Richland, WA, the average last spring frost is around Apr 6 and the average first fall frost around Oct 24, for a growing season of about 200 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 24, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 650% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 24only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2450% chance of frost before this date
Growing season200 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Richland, WA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 373 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 24Oct 10
20%Apr 17Oct 14
30%Apr 13Oct 18
40%Apr 10Oct 21
50%Apr 6Oct 24
60%Apr 3Oct 26
70%Mar 31Oct 30
80%Mar 28Nov 3
90%Mar 22Nov 8

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 25Oct 14
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 6Oct 24
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 18Nov 4

Planting calendar for Richland

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Apr 20 – May 4
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Apr 20 – May 4
Basil
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16
Sow or transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16
Sow or transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 13 – Apr 27
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16
Sow or transplant Apr 20 – May 4
Green beans
Sow Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 13 – Apr 27
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9
Sow or transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 26
Spinach
Sow Feb 23 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 19
Peas
Sow Feb 23 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Kale
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Sow or transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Sep 12
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Carrots
Sow Mar 16 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Radishes
Sow Mar 2 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Sep 12 – Oct 3
Beets
Sow Mar 16 – Apr 6
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 12 – Jan 26
Plant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Potatoes
Plant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Garlic
Plant Oct 24 – Nov 21

Based on the average last frost (Apr 6) and first frost (Oct 24). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

KennewickPascoWalla WallaMoses LakeYakimaWenatcheePullmanSpokaneAll Washington towns