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

Planting zone for 98397 — Longmire, WA

ZIP code 98397 (Longmire, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 98397 is

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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMay 22
First frostOct 3
2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Longmire, 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 Longmire, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season134 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Longmire Rainier Nps, WA — within 1 mile, elevation 2,763 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 98397

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 98397 came on Apr 9 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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 7b in Washington

592 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 31

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 105

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 284

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 Longmire, WA.

Soil in Longmire, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98397 is Flett — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Flett-Narada complex, 0 to 25 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 98397; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Longmire, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, August
Winter low25 °Faverage low, December
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,132base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation82.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall143 inper year; 123 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 26 °F 37°26° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 26 °F 40°26° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° MayJune: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 29 °F 43°29° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 25 °F 36°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.45 in precipitation, 32.7 in snowfall 11.4❄33 JanFebruary: 8.60 in precipitation, 19.2 in snowfall 8.6❄19 FebMarch: 7.55 in precipitation, 25.4 in snowfall 7.5❄25 MarApril: 5.93 in precipitation, 9.7 in snowfall 5.9❄10 AprMay: 4.75 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 4.8❄2 MayJune: 3.70 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 JunJuly: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 9.00 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 9.0❄1 OctNovember: 12.96 in precipitation, 18.6 in snowfall 13.0❄19 NovDecember: 12.42 in precipitation, 34.3 in snowfall 12.4❄34 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Longmire Rainier Nps, WA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Longmire Rainier Nps, WA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

983047a
Ashford, WA · 10 mi
983558a
Mineral, WA · 11 mi
983308a
Elbe, WA · 16 mi
983368a
Glenoma, WA · 16 mi
983778a
Randle, WA · 17 mi
983238b
Carbonado, WA · 18 mi
983288b
Eatonville, WA · 18 mi
983617a
Packwood, WA · 21 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98397

What planting zone is ZIP code 98397?

ZIP code 98397 (Longmire, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Longmire, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98397 is May 22; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Longmire Rainier Nps station.

When is the first frost in Longmire, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98397 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98397?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98397 get?

About 82.6 inches of precipitation a year and 143 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Longmire Rainier Nps station).

How hot do summers get in Longmire, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in August, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98397 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Flett at the center of ZIP 98397: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Longmire, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98397 came on Apr 9 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Longmire, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98397 is 15 h 52 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).