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

Planting zone for 98253 — Greenbank, WA

ZIP code 98253 (Greenbank, Island County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 28.

Where ZIP 98253 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 1

First frostNov 28

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 Greenbank, 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 Greenbank, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 28median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season274 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Port Townsend, WA — 9 miles away, elevation 102 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 98253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 3 – Oct 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 14 – Dec 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 28) 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 98253 came on Feb 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 16

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).

Soil in Greenbank, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98253 is Elwha — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Elwha-Zylstra-Morancreek, cool, complex, 2 to 12 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 98253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Greenbank, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights14nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,712base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.2 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: Port Townsend, WA (9 mi away); precipitation: Freeland 3.3 Nne, WA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Coupeville, WA · 9 mi

983398b

Port Hadlock, WA · 9 mi

982828b

Camano Island, WA · 10 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98253

What planting zone is ZIP code 98253?

ZIP code 98253 (Greenbank, 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 Greenbank, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98253 is March 1; after March 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Townsend station.

When is the first frost in Greenbank, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98253 is November 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 274 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98253 get?

About 31.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freeland 3.3 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Greenbank, 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 98253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elwha at the center of ZIP 98253: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Greenbank, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98253 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Greenbank, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98253 is 16 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).