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

Planting zone for 98801 — Wenatchee, WA

ZIP code 98801 (Wenatchee, Chelan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 98801 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostOct 28
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Wenatchee, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 627 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 98801

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 98801 came on Mar 23 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

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 7a in Washington

590 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 31

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 105

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 282

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 Wenatchee, WA.

Soil in Wenatchee, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98801 is Burch — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Burch fine sandy 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 98801; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wenatchee, WA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,152base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year; 30 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 26 °F 36°26° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 62 °F 89°62° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 61 °F 88°61° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 32 °F 47°32° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 26 °F 36°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.32 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 1.3❄6 JanFebruary: 0.92 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 0.9❄3 FebMarch: 0.73 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 0.7 MarApril: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.15 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.1❄2 NovDecember: 1.59 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 1.6❄6 Dec

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

988077b
Wenatchee, WA · 2 mi
988367a
Monitor, WA · 5 mi
988157a
Cashmere, WA · 9 mi
988027a
East Wenatchee, WA · 9 mi
988287a
Malaga, WA · 11 mi
988477a
Peshastin, WA · 13 mi
988217a
Dryden, WA · 13 mi
988507a
Rock Island, WA · 14 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Wenatchee → · Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98801

What planting zone is ZIP code 98801?

ZIP code 98801 (Wenatchee, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Wenatchee, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98801 is April 4; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wenatchee station.

When is the first frost in Wenatchee, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98801 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98801?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98801 get?

About 9 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wenatchee station).

How hot do summers get in Wenatchee, WA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98801 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burch at the center of ZIP 98801: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Wenatchee, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98801 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wenatchee, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98801 is 15 h 58 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).