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

Planting zone for 98610 — Carson, WA

ZIP code 98610 (Carson, Skamania County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 98610 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 frostMay 2

First frostOct 9

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 Carson, 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 Carson, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Carson Fish Hatchery, WA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,135 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 98610

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 98610 came on Mar 22 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 22

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 Carson, WA.

Soil in Carson, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98610 is Zygore — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Zygore gravelly loam, 5 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 98610; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carson, WA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, August

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,725base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation88.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall55 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carson Fish Hatchery, WA (7 mi away); precipitation: Carson Fish Hatchery, WA (7 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.

986488a

Stevenson, WA · 6 mi

986399a

North Bonneville, WA · 10 mi

970148a

Cascade Locks, OR · 14 mi

986758b

Yacolt, WA · 16 mi

986718b

Washougal, WA · 17 mi

986078b

Camas, WA · 20 mi

986068b

Brush Prairie, WA · 21 mi

986168a

Cougar, WA · 22 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98610

What planting zone is ZIP code 98610?

ZIP code 98610 (Carson, 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 Carson, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98610 is May 2; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carson Fish Hatchery station.

When is the first frost in Carson, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98610 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98610?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98610 get?

About 88.9 inches of precipitation a year and 55 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carson Fish Hatchery station).

How hot do summers get in Carson, WA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in August, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98610 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zygore at the center of ZIP 98610: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Carson, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98610 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carson, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98610 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).