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

Planting zone for 98351 — Longbranch, WA

ZIP code 98351 (Longbranch, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 98351 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 11

First frostNov 21

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 Longbranch, 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 Longbranch, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA — 11 miles away, elevation 292 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 98351

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 98351 came on Feb 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
Feb 22

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 Longbranch, WA.

Soil in Longbranch, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98351 is Harstine — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Harstine gravelly ashy sandy loam, 6 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 98351; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Longbranch, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,896base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.5 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: Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA (11 mi away); precipitation: Olympia 7.0 Nne, WA (6 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.

983888b

Steilacoom, WA · 4 mi

983498b

Lakebay, WA · 5 mi

983038b

Anderson Island, WA · 6 mi

985168b

Olympia, WA · 7 mi

983339a

Fox Island, WA · 7 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98351

What planting zone is ZIP code 98351?

ZIP code 98351 (Longbranch, 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 Longbranch, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98351 is March 11; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tacoma Narrows Airport station.

When is the first frost in Longbranch, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98351 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98351?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98351 get?

About 50.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olympia 7.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Longbranch, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98351 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Harstine at the center of ZIP 98351: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Longbranch, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98351 came on Feb 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Longbranch, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98351 is 15 h 56 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).