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

Planting zone for 98280 — Orcas, WA

ZIP code 98280 (Orcas, 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 98280 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 Orcas, 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 Orcas, 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 — 4 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 98280

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 98280 came on Feb 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 8

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 Orcas, WA.

Soil in Orcas, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98280 is Mitchellbay — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mitchellbay-Rock Outcrop-Killebrew complex, 3 to 15 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 98280; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orcas, 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 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 17 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 (4 mi away); precipitation: Orcas 0.7 Nnw, 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.

982229a

Blakely Island, WA · 3 mi

982798b

Olga, WA · 4 mi

982869a

Shaw Island, WA · 4 mi

982459a

Eastsound, WA · 5 mi

982439a

Deer Harbor, WA · 6 mi

982619a

Lopez Island, WA · 8 mi

982509a

Friday Harbor, WA · 10 mi

982979a

Waldron, WA · 10 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98280

What planting zone is ZIP code 98280?

ZIP code 98280 (Orcas, 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 Orcas, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98280 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 Orcas, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98280 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98280?

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 98280 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Orcas, 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 98280 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mitchellbay at the center of ZIP 98280: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Orcas, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98280 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orcas, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98280 is 16 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98280 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98280 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.