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

Planting zone for 98465 — Tacoma, WA

ZIP code 98465 (Tacoma, Pierce County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 98465 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 11
First frostNov 21
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 292 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 98465

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 98465 came on Feb 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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 9a in Washington

617 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 115

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 159

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 Tacoma, WA.

Soil in Tacoma, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98465 is Alderwood — gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

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 matter9%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Alderwood complex, 12 to 35 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 98465; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tacoma, WA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,896base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 36 °F 46°36° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 37 °F 48°37° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 39 °F 53°39° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 47 °F 65°47° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° JunJuly: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 46 °F 59°46° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 40 °F 51°40° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 36 °F 46°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.06 in precipitation 6.1 JanFebruary: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 2.08 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 AugSeptember: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 7.18 in precipitation 7.2 NovDecember: 5.81 in precipitation 5.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA (2 mi away); precipitation: Tacoma Narrows Airport, WA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

984068b
Tacoma, WA · 1 mi
984668b
Tacoma, WA · 2 mi
984079a
Tacoma, WA · 3 mi
984058b
Tacoma, WA · 3 mi
984678b
University Place, WA · 4 mi
984038b
Tacoma, WA · 4 mi
984098b
Tacoma, WA · 4 mi
984178b
Tacoma, WA · 4 mi

All 33 ZIP codes in Tacoma → · Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98465

What planting zone is ZIP code 98465?

ZIP code 98465 (Tacoma, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Tacoma, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98465 is March 11; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tacoma Narrows Airport station.

When is the first frost in Tacoma, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98465 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98465?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98465 get?

About 42 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tacoma Narrows Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Tacoma, WA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98465 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alderwood at the center of ZIP 98465: gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Tacoma, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98465 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tacoma, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98465 is 15 h 56 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98465 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98465 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.