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

Planting zone for 98251 — Gold Bar, WA

ZIP code 98251 (Gold Bar, Snohomish County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 98251 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 15

First frostOct 25

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Gold Bar, 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 Gold Bar, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Startup 1 E, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 171 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 98251

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 98251 came on Apr 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 19

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 Gold Bar, WA.

Soil in Gold Bar, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98251 is Andic Haplocryods — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Map unit: Andic Haplocryods-Aquic Haplocryands association, 15 to 65 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 98251; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gold Bar, WA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights53nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,904base 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)

Precipitation68.3 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: Startup 1 E, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Startup 1 E, WA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Granite Falls, WA · 12 mi

Snohomish, WA · 17 mi

980148b

Carnation, WA · 18 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98251

What planting zone is ZIP code 98251?

ZIP code 98251 (Gold Bar, 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 Gold Bar, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98251 is April 15; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Startup 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Gold Bar, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98251 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98251?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98251 get?

About 68.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Startup 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Gold Bar, WA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98251 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Andic Haplocryods at the center of ZIP 98251: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gold Bar, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98251 came on Apr 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gold Bar, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98251 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98251 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98251 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.