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

Planting zone for 98368 — Port Townsend, WA

ZIP code 98368 (Port Townsend, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 28.

Where ZIP 98368 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 1
First frostNov 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 Townsend, 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 Townsend, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 28median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season274 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Port Townsend, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 102 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 98368

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 3 – Oct 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 14 – Dec 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 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 98368 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as 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).

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 Townsend, WA.

Soil in Port Townsend, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98368 is Clallam — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Clallam gravelly sandy loam, 15 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 98368; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Port Townsend, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights14nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,712base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 38 °F 46°38° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 40 °F 52°40° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 43 °F 58°43° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 47 °F 63°47° MayJune: average high 68 °F, low 51 °F 68°51° JunJuly: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 51 °F 68°51° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 46 °F 58°46° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 41 °F 50°41° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 38 °F 45°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 JulAugust: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 AugSeptember: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 SepOctober: 2.12 in precipitation 2.1 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Port Townsend, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Port Townsend 4.6 S, WA (2 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.

983398b
Port Hadlock, WA · 4 mi
983258b
Chimacum, WA · 6 mi
983589a
Nordland, WA · 6 mi
982538b
Greenbank, WA · 12 mi
983658b
Port Ludlow, WA · 12 mi
983828b
Sequim, WA · 13 mi
982498b
Freeland, WA · 13 mi
982398b
Coupeville, WA · 13 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98368

What planting zone is ZIP code 98368?

ZIP code 98368 (Port Townsend, 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 Townsend, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98368 is March 1; after March 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Townsend station.

When is the first frost in Port Townsend, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98368 is November 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 274 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98368?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98368 get?

About 26.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Townsend 4.6 S station).

How hot do summers get in Port Townsend, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98368 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clallam at the center of ZIP 98368: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 98368 came on Feb 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Port Townsend, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98368 is 16 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).