Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 98542 — Ethel, WA

ZIP code 98542 (Ethel, Lewis County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 98542 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 5

First frostOct 25

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ethel, 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 Ethel, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Toledo Faa Airport, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 381 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 98542

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 98542 came on Feb 28 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

average
Feb 272026
Feb 28

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 8a in Washington

611 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Ethel, WA.

Soil in Ethel, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98542 is Salkum — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Salkum silty clay loam, 0 to 5 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 98542; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ethel, WA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, February

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,092base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation67.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Toledo Faa Airport, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Onalaska 2.8 Ne, WA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Silver Creek, WA · 14 mi

986458b

Silverlake, WA · 14 mi

985648a

Mossyrock, WA · 16 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98542

What planting zone is ZIP code 98542?

ZIP code 98542 (Ethel, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Ethel, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98542 is April 5; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Toledo Faa Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ethel, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98542 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98542?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98542 get?

About 67.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Onalaska 2.8 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Ethel, WA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in August, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98542 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Salkum at the center of ZIP 98542: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ethel, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98542 came on Feb 28 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ethel, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98542 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).