Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 98051 — Ravensdale, WA

ZIP code 98051 (Ravensdale, King County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 98051 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 3
First frostNov 11
2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ravensdale, WA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Ravensdale, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Palmer 3 Ese, WA — 3 miles away, elevation 919 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 98051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 11) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 98051 came on Feb 24 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Washington

614 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 32

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 114

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 293

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 157

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Ravensdale, WA.

Soil in Ravensdale, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98051 is Beausite — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Beausite gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 98051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ravensdale, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, August
Winter low33 °Faverage low, December
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,737base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation85.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall18 inper year; 13 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 34 °F 45°34° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 34 °F 48°34° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 36 °F 51°36° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 39 °F 57°39° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 45 °F 64°45° MayJune: average high 68 °F, low 49 °F 68°49° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 50 °F 70°50° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 43 °F 59°43° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 33 °F 43°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 10.97 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 11.0❄6 JanFebruary: 7.96 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 8.0❄4 FebMarch: 9.18 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 9.2❄2 MarApril: 7.75 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 7.8 AprMay: 5.87 in precipitation 5.9 MayJune: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 2.08 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 7.88 in precipitation 7.9 OctNovember: 11.48 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 11.5❄1 NovDecember: 10.41 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 10.4❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palmer 3 Ese, WA (3 mi away); precipitation: Palmer 3 Ese, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

980108b
Black Diamond, WA · 6 mi
980388b
Maple Valley, WA · 6 mi
980258b
Hobart, WA · 7 mi
980428b
Kent, WA · 11 mi
980938b
Federal Way, WA · 11 mi
980928b
Auburn, WA · 12 mi
980278b
Issaquah, WA · 13 mi
980458a
North Bend, WA · 13 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98051

What planting zone is ZIP code 98051?

ZIP code 98051 (Ravensdale, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Ravensdale, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98051 is April 3; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmer 3 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Ravensdale, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98051 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98051 get?

About 85.2 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmer 3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Ravensdale, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in August, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Beausite at the center of ZIP 98051: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ravensdale, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98051 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ravensdale, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98051 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).