Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 99117 (Creston, 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, Wilbur, WA (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)112 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°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
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lind #1 (44 mi), Spokane 17 SSW (51 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lind #1 (44 mi), Spokane 17 SSW (51 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 99117 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°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 mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | May 10 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 22 |
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) | Sep 2 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 1 | Sep 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 8 | Oct 3 |
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 99117
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 22). 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 | Apr 6–20 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 6–20 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 6–20 | May 11–Jun 1 (transplant) May 4–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 6–20 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 6–20 | May 4–Jun 1 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 6–20 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 20–May 4 | May 18–Jun 8 (transplant) May 18–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 11–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 27–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 22–Jul 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 22–Jul 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 4–11 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 4–11 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 20–May 4 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 9–23 | Jun 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 20–May 4 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 18–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 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: Wilbur, WA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00459238), elevation 2,262 ft, 10.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrington, WA | 19 mi | May 31 | Sep 12 |
| Davenport, WA | 19 mi | Jun 6 | Sep 11 |
| Odessa, WA | 23 mi | May 14 | Sep 26 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 99117
When is the last frost in 99117?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 99117 is June 1. For a more cautious planting date, use June 22, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 99117?
The average first fall freeze is September 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 2.
What hardiness zone is 99117?
ZIP 99117 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 99117 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
99185 Wilbur 99147 99122 Davenport 99103 Almira 99134 Harrington 99144 99154 99159 Odessa
Other ZIP codes in Lincoln County
99008 99029 99032 99103 99122 99134 99144 99147 99154 99159 99185 All Lincoln County frost dates · Washington frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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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.