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

Planting zone for 98342 — Indianola, WA

ZIP code 98342 (Indianola, Kitsap County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 23.

Where ZIP 98342 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 frostMar 8
First frostNov 23
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 Indianola, 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 Indianola, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season259 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo, WA — 13 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 98342

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 23) 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 98342 came on Feb 8 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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 Indianola, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98342 is Indianola — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Indianola-Kitsap complex, 45 to 70 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 98342; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Indianola, WA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,207base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 01 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 37 °F 47°37° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 37 °F 50°37° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 39 °F 54°39° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 43 °F 59°43° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 48 °F 65°48° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 53 °F 70°53° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 53 °F 71°53° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 47 °F 61°47° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 41 °F 52°41° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 37 °F 47°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JanFebruary: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 AugSeptember: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 5.44 in precipitation 5.4 NovDecember: 7.06 in precipitation 7.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo, WA (13 mi away); precipitation: Indianola 0.7 Sse, WA (within 1 mile). 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.

983929a
Suquamish, WA · 3 mi
983469a
Kingston, WA · 5 mi
983708b
Poulsbo, WA · 5 mi
980619a
Rollingbay, WA · 6 mi
983459a
Keyport, WA · 6 mi
981779a
Seattle, WA · 7 mi
980209a
Edmonds, WA · 7 mi
981179a
Seattle, WA · 7 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98342

What planting zone is ZIP code 98342?

ZIP code 98342 (Indianola, 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 Indianola, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98342 is March 8; after March 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo station.

When is the first frost in Indianola, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98342 is November 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 259 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98342?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98342 get?

About 38.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Indianola 0.7 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Indianola, WA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98342 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Indianola at the center of ZIP 98342: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Indianola, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98342 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Indianola, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98342 is 16 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98342 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98342 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.