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

Planting zone for 99036 — Valleyford, WA

ZIP code 99036 (Valleyford, Spokane County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 99036 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 26

First frostOct 15

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Valleyford, 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 Valleyford, WA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Spokane Felts Field, WA — 12 miles away, elevation 1,952 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 99036

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 99036 came on Apr 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Apr 2

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 Valleyford, WA.

Soil in Valleyford, WA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99036 is Rockly — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rockly-Fourmound complex, 0 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 99036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valleyford, WA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,402base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 58 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)

Precipitation23.9 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: Spokane Felts Field, WA (12 mi away); precipitation: Spokane 5.7 Sse, WA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Greenacres, WA · 9 mi

992137a

Spokane, WA · 9 mi

Washington planting zones →

Questions about 99036

What planting zone is ZIP code 99036?

ZIP code 99036 (Valleyford, 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 Valleyford, WA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99036 is April 26; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spokane Felts Field station.

When is the first frost in Valleyford, WA?

The median first fall frost near 99036 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99036?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99036 get?

About 23.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spokane 5.7 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Valleyford, WA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rockly at the center of ZIP 99036: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Valleyford, WA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 99036 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valleyford, WA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99036 is 15 h 58 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99036 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99036 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.