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

Planting zone for 98203 — Everett, WA

ZIP code 98203 (Everett, Snohomish County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 98203 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 frostMar 24
First frostNov 2
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 Everett, 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 Everett, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season223 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Everett, WA — 3 miles away, elevation 59 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 98203

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 98203 came on Feb 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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 Everett, WA.

Soil in Everett, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98203 is Alderwood — gravelly ashy sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly ashy sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6.5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alderwood-Urban land complex, 2 to 8 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 98203; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Everett, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, August
Winter low34 °Faverage low, December
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,983base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 35 °F 48°35° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 47 °F 66°47° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 50 °F 70°50° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 43 °F 61°43° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 38 °F 52°38° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 34 °F 47°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 JanFebruary: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 SepOctober: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 5.56 in precipitation 5.6 NovDecember: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Everett, WA (3 mi away); precipitation: Everett 1.0 S, WA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

982138b
Everett, WA · <1 mi
982049a
Everett, WA · 3 mi
982078b
Everett, WA · 3 mi
982088b
Everett, WA · 4 mi
982758b
Mukilteo, WA · 4 mi
982018b
Everett, WA · 4 mi
980828b
Mill Creek, WA · 6 mi
980879a
Lynnwood, WA · 6 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Everett → · Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98203

What planting zone is ZIP code 98203?

ZIP code 98203 (Everett, 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 Everett, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98203 is March 24; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett station.

When is the first frost in Everett, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98203 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 223 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98203?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98203 get?

About 41.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett 1.0 S station).

How hot do summers get in Everett, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in August, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98203 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alderwood at the center of ZIP 98203: gravelly ashy sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Everett, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98203 came on Feb 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Everett, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98203 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).