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

Planting zone for 98559 — Malone, WA

ZIP code 98559 (Malone, Grays Harbor County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 98559 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 frostMay 1

First frostOct 14

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 Malone, 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 Malone, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Elma, WA — 5 miles away, elevation 69 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 98559

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 98559 came on Feb 17 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
Feb 17

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.

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 Malone, WA.

Soil in Malone, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98559 is Grandmound — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Grandmound gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 15 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 98559; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Malone, WA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, February

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,043base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 31 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation72 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: Elma, WA (5 mi away); precipitation: Elma, WA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Littlerock, WA · 10 mi

Rochester, WA · 15 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98559

What planting zone is ZIP code 98559?

ZIP code 98559 (Malone, 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 Malone, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98559 is May 1; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elma station.

When is the first frost in Malone, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98559 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98559?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98559 get?

About 72 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elma station).

How hot do summers get in Malone, WA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in August, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98559 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grandmound at the center of ZIP 98559: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Malone, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98559 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Malone, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98559 is 15 h 53 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).