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

Planting zone for 98356 — Morton, WA

ZIP code 98356 (Morton, Lewis County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 98356 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 frostApr 24

First frostOct 15

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 Morton, 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 Morton, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Glenoma, WA — 7 miles away, elevation 840 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 98356

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 98356 came on Mar 4 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

average
Mar 132026
Mar 4

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 Morton, WA.

Soil in Morton, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98356 is Mal — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter7.5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mal clay loam, 8 to 30 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 98356; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morton, WA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, August

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,713base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation81.6 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: Glenoma, WA (7 mi away); precipitation: Mineral 0.2 S, WA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

985338b

Cinebar, WA · 8 mi

985858b

Silver Creek, WA · 8 mi

983368a

Glenoma, WA · 9 mi

985648a

Mossyrock, WA · 12 mi

La Grande, WA · 18 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98356

What planting zone is ZIP code 98356?

ZIP code 98356 (Morton, 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 Morton, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98356 is April 24; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glenoma station.

When is the first frost in Morton, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98356 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98356?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98356 get?

About 81.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral 0.2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Morton, WA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in August, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98356 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mal at the center of ZIP 98356: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Morton, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98356 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Morton, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98356 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98356 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98356 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.