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

Planting zone for 98281 — Point Roberts, WA

ZIP code 98281 (Point Roberts, 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 November 4.

Where ZIP 98281 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 frostNov 4

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 Point Roberts, 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 Point Roberts, 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 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Blaine, WA — 12 miles away, elevation 59 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 98281

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 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 98281 came on Feb 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
Feb 15

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.

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 Point Roberts, WA.

Soil in Point Roberts, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98281 is Everett — gravelly ashy sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly ashy sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Everett gravelly sandy loam, hard substratum, 2 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 98281; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Point Roberts, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,754base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Blaine, WA (12 mi away); precipitation: Blaine, WA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Eastsound, WA · 23 mi

982439a

Deer Harbor, WA · 26 mi

982628b

Lummi Island, WA · 26 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98281

What planting zone is ZIP code 98281?

ZIP code 98281 (Point Roberts, 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 Point Roberts, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98281 is March 31; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blaine station.

When is the first frost in Point Roberts, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98281 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98281?

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 98281 get?

About 41.8 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blaine station).

How hot do summers get in Point Roberts, 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 98281 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Everett at the center of ZIP 98281: gravelly ashy sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Point Roberts, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98281 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Point Roberts, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98281 is 16 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98281 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98281 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.