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

Planting zone for 98826 — Leavenworth, WA

ZIP code 98826 (Leavenworth, Chelan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 98826 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 22

First frostSep 22

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 Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 7

Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Plain, WA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,936 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 98826

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19

BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 98826 came on Apr 24 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

average
Apr 282026
Apr 24

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.

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 Leavenworth, WA.

Soil in Leavenworth, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98826 is Aeric Fluvaquents — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aeric Fluvaquents, nearly level*.

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 98826; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leavenworth, WA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,691base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation27.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall117 inper year; 110 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Plain, WA (9 mi away); precipitation: Plain, WA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Ardenvoir, WA · 22 mi

988157a

Cashmere, WA · 24 mi

982888a

Skykomish, WA · 25 mi

982568a

Index, WA · 26 mi

988477a

Peshastin, WA · 27 mi

988367a

Monitor, WA · 29 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98826

What planting zone is ZIP code 98826?

ZIP code 98826 (Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98826 is May 22; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plain station.

When is the first frost in Leavenworth, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98826 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98826?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98826 get?

About 27.2 inches of precipitation a year and 117 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plain station).

How hot do summers get in Leavenworth, WA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98826 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aeric Fluvaquents at the center of ZIP 98826: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Leavenworth, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98826 came on Apr 24 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Leavenworth, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98826 is 16 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98826 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98826 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.