When to plant in Yelm, WA
USDA Zone 8bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Yelm, Washington — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Heads up: the nearest complete-normals station is about 20 km from Yelm, so your yard's frost dates can differ — a low spot or a paved city center can shift them by a week. In zone 8b, Yelm supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
OLYMPIA 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 Yelm’s own odds, recorded at OLYMPIA AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 15 | Apr 30 | Sep 12 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 15 | Apr 29 | Apr 11 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 5 | Mar 12 | Oct 9 | Nov 1 | Nov 24 |
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 Yelm, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 36 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.
Yelm planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Yelm, WA?
On average, the last spring frost in Yelm is around April 29 (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 Yelm, WA?
The first fall frost in Yelm typically arrives around October 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Yelm in?
Yelm is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Yelm?
Yelm has about 168 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 29) and first fall frost (October 14).
When should I plant tomatoes in Yelm?
For Yelm, sow tomatoes indoors about March 4–March 18 and move the seedlings out around May 6, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Yelm
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Yelm’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lacey · 16 km
- Fort Lewis · 18 km
- Tumwater · 21 km
- Olympia · 22 km
- Elk Plain · 24 km
- Spanaway · 24 km
- Lakewood · 26 km
- Frederickson · 27 km
Frost dates recorded at OLYMPIA AP, 20 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 Yelm, WA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024227. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/washington/yelm.