When to plant in University Place, WA
USDA Zone 8bUniversity Place, Washington frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With about 255 frost-free days, University Place supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in University Place, 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 University Place’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 University Place, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
University Place planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in University Place, WA?
Plan for the last spring frost in University Place around March 11 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in University Place, WA?
Expect University Place's first fall frost near November 21 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is University Place in?
University Place is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in University Place?
There are roughly 255 frost-free days in University Place (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 University Place?
In University Place, 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 University Place
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to University Place’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lakewood · 6 km
- Tacoma · 8 km
- Parkland · 12 km
- Artondale · 13 km
- Fort Lewis · 13 km
- Gig Harbor · 14 km
- Fife · 15 km
- Spanaway · 16 km
Frost dates recorded at TACOMA NARROWS AP, 6 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 University Place, WA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094274. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/washington/university-place.