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

Planting zone for 98283 — Rockport, WA

ZIP code 98283 (Rockport, Skagit County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 98283 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 2

First frostNov 14

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rockport, 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 Rockport, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Newhalem, WA — 9 miles away, elevation 525 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 98283

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 98283 came on Apr 30 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 13).

average
May 132026
Apr 30

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 7a in Washington

590 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Rockport, WA.

Soil in Rockport, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98283 is Harlequin — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Glaciers-Harlequin complex, 25 to 100 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 98283; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rockport, WA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, August

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,980base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 10 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)

Precipitation75.8 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: Newhalem, WA (9 mi away); precipitation: Beaver Pass, WA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Marblemount, WA · 28 mi

982668a

Maple Falls, WA · 35 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98283

What planting zone is ZIP code 98283?

ZIP code 98283 (Rockport, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Rockport, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98283 is April 2; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newhalem station.

When is the first frost in Rockport, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98283 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98283?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98283 get?

About 75.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Rockport, WA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in August, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98283 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Harlequin at the center of ZIP 98283: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rockport, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98283 came on Apr 30 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rockport, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98283 is 16 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98283 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98283 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.