When to plant in Gig Harbor, WA
USDA Zone 8bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Gig Harbor, Washington — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~255-day season lets Gig Harbor gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Gig Harbor, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
TACOMA NARROWS AP · 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 Gig Harbor’s own odds, recorded at TACOMA NARROWS AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 11 | Mar 26 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
| 32°F | Apr 2 | Mar 11 | Feb 15 | Nov 3 | Nov 21 | Dec 10 |
| 28°F | Mar 8 | Feb 13 | Jan 1 | Nov 18 | Dec 11 | Jan 19 |
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 Gig Harbor, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Gig Harbor planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gig Harbor, WA?
Gig Harbor's average last spring frost falls near March 11 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Gig Harbor, WA?
The first fall frost in Gig Harbor typically arrives around November 21 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Gig Harbor in?
Gig Harbor is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Gig Harbor?
There are roughly 255 frost-free days in Gig Harbor (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 11 to the first fall frost near November 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Gig Harbor?
In Gig Harbor, start tomato seeds indoors around January 14–January 28, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 18 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Gig Harbor
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gig Harbor’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Artondale · 5 km
- University Place · 14 km
- Tacoma · 14 km
- Federal Way · 20 km
- Lakewood · 20 km
- Des Moines · 22 km
- Fife · 22 km
- Port Orchard · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at TACOMA NARROWS AP, 8 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 Gig Harbor, WA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094274. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/washington/gig-harbor.