Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 98290 (Three Lakes, WA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Monroe, WA (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)188 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Darrington 21 NNE (47 mi).
4-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Darrington 21 NNE (47 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 98290 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 50°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically March to April).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Pacific Northwest (west of the Cascades). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 29 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 7 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 9 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 98290
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 23). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–24 (transplant) Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 13–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 6–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Monroe, WA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00455525), elevation 120 ft, 7.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everett, WA | 10 mi | Mar 24 | Nov 2 |
| Startup 1 E, WA | 14 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Everett Snohomish AP, WA | 14 mi | Mar 9 | Nov 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 39 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 98290
When is the last frost in 98290?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 98290 is April 17. For a more cautious planting date, use May 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 98290?
The average first fall freeze is October 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 7.
What hardiness zone is 98290?
ZIP 98290 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 98290 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
98258 Lake Stevens 98272 Woods Creek 98296 Maltby 98201 Everett 98208 Eastmont 98270 Marysville 98207 Everett 98203 Everett
Other ZIP codes in Snohomish County
98012 98020 98021 98026 98036 98037 98043 98087 98201 98203 98204 98207 98208 98223 98241 98251 98252 98256 98258 98270 98271 98272 98275 98292 All Snohomish County frost dates · Washington frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.