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

Planting zone for 98365 — Port Ludlow, WA

ZIP code 98365 (Port Ludlow, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 98365 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 11
First frostOct 28
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 Port Ludlow, 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 Port Ludlow, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Quilcene 2 Sw, WA — 11 miles away, elevation 125 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 98365

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 98365 came on Feb 17 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

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.

Trees 32

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 114

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 293

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 157

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Port Ludlow, WA.

Soil in Port Ludlow, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98365 is Alderwood — gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6.5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0 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 98365; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Port Ludlow, WA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,769base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation35.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 32 °F 46°32° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 35 °F 50°35° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 32 °F 44°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 2.26 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 JunJuly: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 AugSeptember: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 NovDecember: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Quilcene 2 Sw, WA (11 mi away); precipitation: Quilcene 5.8 Nne, WA (6 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.

983649a
Port Gamble, WA · 6 mi
983258b
Chimacum, WA · 6 mi
983408b
Hansville, WA · 6 mi
983768b
Quilcene, WA · 7 mi
983469a
Kingston, WA · 9 mi
983708b
Poulsbo, WA · 10 mi
983398b
Port Hadlock, WA · 10 mi
983589a
Nordland, WA · 11 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98365

What planting zone is ZIP code 98365?

ZIP code 98365 (Port Ludlow, 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 Port Ludlow, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98365 is April 11; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quilcene 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Port Ludlow, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98365 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98365?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98365 get?

About 35.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quilcene 5.8 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Port Ludlow, WA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98365 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alderwood at the center of ZIP 98365: gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Port Ludlow, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98365 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Port Ludlow, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98365 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).