Agriculture in Washington
ZIP codes in our Washington data
USDA hardiness zones present
Washington State is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country, with farming spread across a mild, wet west side and an irrigated, semi-arid east side. Its irrigated valleys and river basins make it a national leader in tree fruit and specialty crops, so growers and gardeners here work with an unusually wide range of conditions and commodities.
Farming in Washington
Washington is the leading apple-producing state in the nation and a major grower of sweet cherries, pears, and other tree fruits, most of it in the irrigated valleys of the central and eastern part of the state. The Yakima Valley produces the large majority of the country's hops, while the Palouse region in the southeast is a major dryland wheat and legume area. Other important crops include potatoes, wine and juice grapes, red raspberries, blueberries, sweet corn, and hay. Livestock and dairy are also significant, with milk ranking among the state's top farm products alongside cattle.
Climate and growing conditions
Washington's climate is split by the Cascade Mountains: the western side has a mild, wet maritime climate with cool summers and long, damp winters, while the eastern side is drier and more continental, with hot summers, colder winters, and irrigation supporting most crops. The growing season is long and moderate in the Puget Sound lowlands but shorter in the higher elevations and interior. USDA hardiness zones range from about zone 4 in the cold mountains and northeast up to zone 8 or 9 along the coast and in the protected Puget Sound area.
Major agricultural products
- Apples
- Sweet cherries and pears
- Hops
- Potatoes
- Wheat
- Wine and juice grapes
- Milk and dairy
- Cattle
Hardiness zones in Washington
Growers in Washington fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Washington
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Washington
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (39 counties):
Market prices & data for Washington
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.