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

Planting zone for 98245 — Eastsound, WA

ZIP code 98245 (Eastsound, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 98245 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostFeb 26

First frostNov 29

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Eastsound, 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 Eastsound, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 26 and returns around December 14.

From the NOAA station Olga 2 Se, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 79 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 98245

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Nov 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 98245 came on Feb 11 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 11

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 9a in Washington

617 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Eastsound, WA.

Soil in Eastsound, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98245 is Doebay — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Doebay-Cady-Rock Outcrop complex, 10 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 98245; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eastsound, WA

Summer high69 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights32nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,517base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation25.7 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: Olga 2 Se, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Orcas 0.7 Nnw, WA (4 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.

Deer Harbor, WA · 6 mi

982869a

Shaw Island, WA · 7 mi

982229a

Blakely Island, WA · 8 mi

982628b

Lummi Island, WA · 11 mi

982509a

Friday Harbor, WA · 11 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98245

What planting zone is ZIP code 98245?

ZIP code 98245 (Eastsound, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Eastsound, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98245 is February 26; after March 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olga 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Eastsound, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98245 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98245?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 15 and set transplants outside around Mar 5 – Mar 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98245 get?

About 25.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orcas 0.7 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Eastsound, WA?

The average high peaks at 69 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98245 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Doebay at the center of ZIP 98245: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Eastsound, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98245 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eastsound, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98245 is 16 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98245 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98245 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.