Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 98642 — Ridgefield, WA

ZIP code 98642 (Ridgefield, Clark County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 98642 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 10

First frostNov 2

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 Ridgefield, 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 Ridgefield, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Scappoose Ind Airport, OR — 8 miles away, elevation 56 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 98642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 98642 came on Feb 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
Feb 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 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 Ridgefield, WA.

Soil in Ridgefield, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98642 is Gee — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gee silt loam, 0 to 8 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 98642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ridgefield, WA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,345base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 44 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)

Precipitation43.9 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: Scappoose Ind Airport, OR (8 mi away); precipitation: Vancouver 5.4 N, WA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Columbia City, OR · 8 mi

Battle Ground, WA · 9 mi

986608b

Vancouver, WA · 10 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98642

What planting zone is ZIP code 98642?

ZIP code 98642 (Ridgefield, 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 Ridgefield, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98642 is April 10; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Scappoose Ind Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ridgefield, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98642 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98642 get?

About 43.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vancouver 5.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Ridgefield, WA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in August, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gee at the center of ZIP 98642: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ridgefield, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98642 came on Feb 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ridgefield, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98642 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).