Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 98244 — Deming, WA

ZIP code 98244 (Deming, Whatcom County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 98244 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 24

First frostOct 29

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Deming, 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 Deming, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Upper Baker Dam, WA — 13 miles away, elevation 689 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 98244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 98244 came on Apr 10 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4).

average
May 42026
Apr 10

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 8a in Washington

611 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Deming, WA.

Soil in Deming, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98244 is Typic Vitricryands — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Map unit: Typic Vitricryands-Andic Dystrocryepts, cold-Rock outcrop association, 15 to 100 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 98244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Deming, WA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, August

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,470base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation116.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Upper Baker Dam, WA (13 mi away); precipitation: Mf Nooksack, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

982208a

Acme, WA · 14 mi

982668a

Maple Falls, WA · 15 mi

Sedro Woolley, WA · 19 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98244

What planting zone is ZIP code 98244?

ZIP code 98244 (Deming, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Deming, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98244 is April 24; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Upper Baker Dam station.

When is the first frost in Deming, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98244 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98244?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98244 get?

About 116.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mf Nooksack station).

How hot do summers get in Deming, WA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in August, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Typic Vitricryands at the center of ZIP 98244: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Deming, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98244 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Deming, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98244 is 16 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).