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

Planting zone for 98572 — Pe Ell, WA

ZIP code 98572 (Pe Ell, Lewis County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 98572 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 27

First frostOct 22

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 Pe Ell, 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 Pe Ell, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA — 16 miles away, elevation 102 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 98572

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 98572 came on Feb 15 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Feb 15

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 Pe Ell, WA.

Soil in Pe Ell, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98572 is Boistfort — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter12.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Boistfort clay loam, 8 to 30 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 98572; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pe Ell, WA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, February

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,753base 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)

Precipitation54 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grays Rvr Hatchery, WA (16 mi away); precipitation: Doty 3 E, WA (8 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.

Grays River, WA · 14 mi

Skamokawa, WA · 16 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98572

What planting zone is ZIP code 98572?

ZIP code 98572 (Pe Ell, 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 Pe Ell, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98572 is April 27; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grays Rvr Hatchery station.

When is the first frost in Pe Ell, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98572 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98572?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98572 get?

About 54 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Doty 3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Pe Ell, WA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98572 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boistfort at the center of ZIP 98572: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pe Ell, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98572 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pe Ell, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98572 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).