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

Planting zone for 98248 — Ferndale, WA

ZIP code 98248 (Ferndale, Whatcom County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 98248 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 31
First frostOct 30
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Bellingham Intl Airport, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 148 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 98248

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 98248 came on Feb 21 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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 Ferndale, WA.

Soil in Ferndale, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98248 is Whatcom — ashy silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureAshy silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Whatcom-Labounty silt loams, 0 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 98248; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ferndale, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,765base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 11 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)
Precipitation42.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 34 °F 46°34° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 35 °F 49°35° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 38 °F 53°38° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 42 °F 58°42° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 47 °F 64°47° MayJune: average high 68 °F, low 52 °F 68°52° JunJuly: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 50 °F 68°50° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 43 °F 59°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 38 °F 51°38° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 34 °F 46°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.73 in precipitation 5.7 JanFebruary: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 MayJune: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 JunJuly: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 JulAugust: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 AugSeptember: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 SepOctober: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 6.26 in precipitation 6.3 NovDecember: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bellingham Intl Airport, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Ferndale 2.1 Nw, WA (within 1 mile). 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.

982408b
Custer, WA · 6 mi
982308b
Blaine, WA · 7 mi
982258b
Bellingham, WA · 9 mi
982278b
Bellingham, WA · 10 mi
982288b
Bellingham, WA · 10 mi
982648a
Lynden, WA · 10 mi
982268a
Bellingham, WA · 10 mi
982318b
Blaine, WA · 10 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98248

What planting zone is ZIP code 98248?

ZIP code 98248 (Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98248 is March 31; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bellingham Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ferndale, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98248 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98248?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98248 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ferndale 2.1 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Ferndale, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98248 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Whatcom at the center of ZIP 98248: ashy silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ferndale, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98248 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ferndale, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98248 is 16 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98248 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98248 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.