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

Planting zone for 98936 — Moxee, WA

ZIP code 98936 (Moxee, Yakima County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 98936 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 4

First frostOct 10

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 Moxee, 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 Moxee, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Moxee City 10 E, WA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,549 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 98936

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 98936 came on Mar 23 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
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).

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 Moxee, WA.

Soil in Moxee, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 98936 is Lickskillet — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lickskillet very stony silt loam, 5 to 45 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 98936; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Moxee, WA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, December

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,458base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation7.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall10 inper year; 20 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: Moxee City 10 E, WA (2 mi away); precipitation: Moxee City 10 E, WA (2 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.

Grandview, WA · 22 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 98936

What planting zone is ZIP code 98936?

ZIP code 98936 (Moxee, 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 Moxee, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 98936 is May 4; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moxee City 10 E station.

When is the first frost in Moxee, WA?

The median first fall frost near 98936 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 98936?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 98936 get?

About 7.8 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moxee City 10 E station).

How hot do summers get in Moxee, WA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 98936 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lickskillet at the center of ZIP 98936: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Moxee, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 98936 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Moxee, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 98936 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 98936 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 98936 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.