When to plant in Federal Way, WA
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Federal Way, Washington — all computed from Federal Way's nearest NOAA weather station.
With about 251 frost-free days, Federal Way supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. In zone 8b, Federal Way supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
The average last spring frost in Federal Way is now 9 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
TACOMA #1 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Federal Way’s own odds, recorded at TACOMA #1.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 24 | Apr 2 | Mar 13 | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 15 |
| 32°F | Mar 31 | Mar 8 | Feb 15 | Oct 30 | Nov 14 | Dec 2 |
| 28°F | Mar 4 | Feb 11 | Dec 29 | Nov 8 | Dec 1 | Jan 1 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Federal Way, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Federal Way planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Federal Way, WA?
On average, the last spring frost in Federal Way is around March 8 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Federal Way, WA?
In Federal Way, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 14 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Federal Way in?
Federal Way is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Federal Way?
Federal Way has about 251 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 8) and first fall frost (November 14).
When should I plant tomatoes in Federal Way?
For Federal Way, sow tomatoes indoors about January 11–January 25 and move the seedlings out around March 15, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Federal Way
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Federal Way’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lakeland North · 5 km
- Lakeland South · 6 km
- Des Moines · 9 km
- Fife · 9 km
- Auburn · 10 km
- Edgewood · 10 km
- Tacoma · 11 km
- Sumner · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at TACOMA #1, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Federal Way, WA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00458278. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/washington/federal-way.