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

Planting zone for 98385 — South Prairie, WA

ZIP code 98385 (South Prairie, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 98385 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 7
First frostOct 30
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 South Prairie, 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 South Prairie, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Buckley 1 Ne, WA — 5 miles away, elevation 686 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 98385

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 98385 came on Feb 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

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 South Prairie, WA.

Soil in South Prairie, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98385 is Buckley — gravelly silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter9%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Buckley gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 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 98385; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Prairie, WA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, December
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights50nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,741base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 55 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)
Precipitation48.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall4 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 34 °F 47°34° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 34 °F 50°34° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°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 52 °F 77°52° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 42 °F 60°42° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 33 °F 46°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 5.91 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.9 JanFebruary: 4.74 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 4.7❄1 FebMarch: 5.22 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.2 MarApril: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 JulAugust: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 SepOctober: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 6.82 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 6.8❄2 NovDecember: 5.64 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 5.6❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Buckley 1 Ne, WA (5 mi away); precipitation: Buckley 1 Ne, WA (5 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.

983218b
Buckley, WA · 1 mi
983918b
Bonney Lake, WA · 4 mi
983968b
Wilkeson, WA · 5 mi
983528b
Sumner, WA · 5 mi
983987a
Paradise Inn, WA · 5 mi
983608b
Orting, WA · 7 mi
983748b
Puyallup, WA · 8 mi
983908b
Sumner, WA · 8 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98385

What planting zone is ZIP code 98385?

ZIP code 98385 (South Prairie, 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 South Prairie, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98385 is April 7; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buckley 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in South Prairie, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98385 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98385?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98385 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buckley 1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in South Prairie, WA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98385 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buckley at the center of ZIP 98385: gravelly silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in South Prairie, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98385 came on Feb 23 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Prairie, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98385 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).