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

Planting zone for 98561 — Menlo, WA

ZIP code 98561 (Menlo, Pacific County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 98561 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostApr 26

First frostOct 17

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 Menlo, 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 Menlo, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Raymond 2 S, WA — 4 miles away, elevation 30 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 98561

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 98561 came on Feb 17 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
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 Menlo, WA.

Soil in Menlo, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98561 is Arta — medial silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureMedial silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Arta silt loam, 0 to 3 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 98561; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Menlo, WA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, August

Winter low32 °Faverage low, February

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,397base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation83.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raymond 2 S, WA (4 mi away); precipitation: Raymond 2 S, WA (4 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.

South Bend, WA · 11 mi

985279a

Bay Center, WA · 13 mi

985378b

Cosmopolis, WA · 13 mi

986218b

Grays River, WA · 16 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98561

What planting zone is ZIP code 98561?

ZIP code 98561 (Menlo, 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 Menlo, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98561 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raymond 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Menlo, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98561 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98561?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98561 get?

About 83.7 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raymond 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Menlo, WA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in August, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98561 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arta at the center of ZIP 98561: medial silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Menlo, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98561 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Menlo, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98561 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).