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

Planting zone for 98560 — Matlock, WA

ZIP code 98560 (Matlock, Mason County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 98560 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 23
First frostOct 20
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 Matlock, 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 Matlock, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Matlock 8 S, WA — 11 miles away, elevation 112 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 98560

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 98560 came on Feb 7 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

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 Matlock, WA.

Soil in Matlock, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98560 is Tebo — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter7.5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rough mountainous land, Tebo soil material.

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 98560; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Matlock, WA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, August
Winter low34 °Faverage low, February
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,770base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 57 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)
Precipitation89.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 35 °F 47°35° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 34 °F 50°34° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 34 °F 45°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″January: 14.45 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 14.4❄1 JanFebruary: 8.75 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 8.8❄1 FebMarch: 10.14 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 10.1 MarApril: 6.78 in precipitation 6.8 AprMay: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 JunJuly: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 JulAugust: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 AugSeptember: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 9.16 in precipitation 9.2 OctNovember: 14.33 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 14.3❄1 NovDecember: 14.01 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 14.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Matlock 8 S, WA (11 mi away); precipitation: Matlock 8 S, WA (11 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.

985638b
Montesano, WA · 11 mi
985848b
Shelton, WA · 14 mi
985928b
Union, WA · 16 mi
985418b
Elma, WA · 17 mi
985578a
Mccleary, WA · 20 mi
985488b
Hoodsport, WA · 20 mi
985888b
Tahuya, WA · 21 mi
985838b
Satsop, WA · 22 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98560

What planting zone is ZIP code 98560?

ZIP code 98560 (Matlock, 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 Matlock, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98560 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matlock 8 S station.

When is the first frost in Matlock, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98560 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98560?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98560 get?

About 89.9 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matlock 8 S station).

How hot do summers get in Matlock, WA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in August, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98560 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tebo at the center of ZIP 98560: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Matlock, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98560 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Matlock, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98560 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).