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

Planting zone for 98821 — Dryden, WA

ZIP code 98821 (Dryden, Chelan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 98821 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 frostMay 10

First frostSep 30

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Dryden, 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 Dryden, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Leavenworth 3 S, WA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,129 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 98821

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 98821 came on Mar 23 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 23

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).

Soil in Dryden, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98821 is Burch — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

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 classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Burch loam, 8 to 15 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 98821; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dryden, WA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,094base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation25.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall80 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Leavenworth 3 S, WA (5 mi away); precipitation: Leavenworth 3 S, WA (5 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.

Wenatchee, WA · 13 mi

988077b

Wenatchee, WA · 15 mi

988117a

Ardenvoir, WA · 15 mi

988027a

East Wenatchee, WA · 19 mi

988267a

Leavenworth, WA · 21 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98821

What planting zone is ZIP code 98821?

ZIP code 98821 (Dryden, 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 Dryden, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98821 is May 10; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leavenworth 3 S station.

When is the first frost in Dryden, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98821 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98821?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98821 get?

About 25.7 inches of precipitation a year and 80 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leavenworth 3 S station).

How hot do summers get in Dryden, WA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98821 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burch at the center of ZIP 98821: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dryden, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98821 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dryden, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98821 is 15 h 59 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98821 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98821 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.