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

Planting zone for 98823 — Ephrata, WA

ZIP code 98823 (Ephrata, Grant County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 98823 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 17

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Ephrata Municipal Airport, WA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,253 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 98823

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 98823 came on Mar 31 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 31

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 6b in Washington

581 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Washington, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Ephrata, WA.

Soil in Ephrata, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98823 is Bakeoven — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bakeoven-Lickskillet-Zen complex, 5 to 25 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 98823; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ephrata, WA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,010base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation7.6 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: Ephrata Municipal Airport, WA (6 mi away); precipitation: Ephrata Municipal Airport, WA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

988517a

Soap Lake, WA · 11 mi

988487a

Quincy, WA · 15 mi

988457a

Palisades, WA · 16 mi

988536b

Stratford, WA · 19 mi

988507a

Rock Island, WA · 19 mi

988377a

Moses Lake, WA · 20 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98823

What planting zone is ZIP code 98823?

ZIP code 98823 (Ephrata, WA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Ephrata, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98823 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ephrata Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ephrata, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98823 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98823?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98823 get?

About 7.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ephrata Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ephrata, WA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98823 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bakeoven at the center of ZIP 98823: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ephrata, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98823 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ephrata, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98823 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).