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

Planting zone for 98236 — Clinton, WA

ZIP code 98236 (Clinton, Island County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 98236 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 9
First frostNov 17
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Everett Snohomish Airport, WA — 7 miles away, elevation 607 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 98236

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 9) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 98236 came on Feb 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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 Clinton, WA.

Soil in Clinton, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98236 is Indianola — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Indianola-Uselessbay complex, 5 to 30 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 98236; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clinton, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, August
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,771base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation39.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 37 °F 46°37° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 37 °F 48°37° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 39 °F 52°39° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 43 °F 56°43° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 48 °F 63°48° MayJune: average high 66 °F, low 51 °F 66°51° JunJuly: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 52 °F 68°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 46 °F 58°46° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 40 °F 50°40° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 36 °F 45°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 5.69 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 JulAugust: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 6.88 in precipitation 6.9 NovDecember: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Everett Snohomish Airport, WA (7 mi away); precipitation: Clinton 1.7 Nw, WA (3 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.

982758b
Mukilteo, WA · 5 mi
982608b
Langley, WA · 6 mi
982498b
Freeland, WA · 8 mi
983408b
Hansville, WA · 8 mi
982049a
Everett, WA · 8 mi
982038b
Everett, WA · 8 mi
980269a
Edmonds, WA · 8 mi
982068b
Everett, WA · 9 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98236

What planting zone is ZIP code 98236?

ZIP code 98236 (Clinton, 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 Clinton, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98236 is March 9; after March 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Everett Snohomish Airport station.

When is the first frost in Clinton, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98236 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98236?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 12 – Jan 26 and set transplants outside around Mar 16 – Mar 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98236 get?

About 39.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clinton 1.7 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Clinton, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in August, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98236 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Indianola at the center of ZIP 98236: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Clinton, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98236 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clinton, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98236 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).