Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 99359 (Starbuck, 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, Dayton 1 WSW, WA (16 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)168 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 99359, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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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
55°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lind #1 (39 mi), Cook Farm Field D (55 mi).
4-inch depth
56°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lind #1 (39 mi), Cook Farm Field D (55 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 99359 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 56°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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) | Apr 11 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 14 |
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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 13 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 29 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 6 | Oct 25 |
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 99359
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 13). 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 | Mar 3–17 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 17–Mar 3 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 17–Mar 3 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 3–17 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 3–17 | Apr 7–28 (transplant) Mar 31–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) Aug 4–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 7–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 28 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 7–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 17–31 | Apr 14–May 5 (transplant) Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 24–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 19–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 17–31 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 3–17 | May 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 17–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (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: Dayton 1 WSW, WA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00452030), elevation 1,557 ft, 15.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacrosse, WA | 25 mi | May 13 | Sep 26 |
| Hatton 9 SE, WA | 27 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| Pomeroy, WA | 27 mi | May 2 | Oct 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 99359
When is the last frost in 99359?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 99359 is April 28. For a more cautious planting date, use May 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 99359?
The average first fall freeze is October 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 30.
What hardiness zone is 99359?
ZIP 99359 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 99359 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
99333 99136 99348 Prescott 99335 Kahlotus 99361 Waitsburg 99371 Washtucna 99328 Dayton 99143 LaCrosse
Other ZIP codes in Columbia County
99328 All Columbia 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.