Zones 3b to 9b in South Puget Sound, WA: Tacoma to Auburn [Map]

South Puget Sound region spans USDA Planting zones 3b to 9b, with winter temperatures ranging from -35°F to 30°F (-37.2°C to -1.1°C), as declared in latest USDA update of 2023. This wide hardiness variation occurs because Pierce County includes both sea-level areas and mountains, creating different microclimates.

The coldest zone here is USDA zone 3b (-35°F to -30°F / -37.2°C to -34.4°C) found in the mountainous areas of Pierce County. The warmest zone is USDA zone 9b (25°F to 30°F / -3.9°C to -1.1°C) located on Bainbridge Island with its maritime-moderated climate.

Most communities including Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Buckley, Edgewood, Fife, Spanaway and Lakewood fall within USDA zone 8b (15°F to 20°F / -9.4°C to -6.7°C), representing the region’s predominant growing conditions.

Several areas span multiple USDA zones like Auburn (8b-9a) and Bremerton (8a-8b-9a), so verify your USDA planting zone of Washington‘s South Puget Sound region, using the interactive map or the USDA hardiness zones table provided below.

USDA Zones Map of South Puget Sound

Select or type your South Puget Sound region location in selection box below, to find its USDA Growing zone.

Planting Zones Table of South Puget Sound

South Puget Sound region has primarily two USDA Planting Zones 8b and 9a, with some areas extending into zones 8a and 9b. The 29 USDA hardiness zone locations in South Puget Sound are Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Buckley, Dupont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fife, Fox Island, Gig Harbor, Graham, Kingston, Lake Tapps, Lakewood, North Puyallup, Orting, Pierce County, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Puyallup, Roy, Seabeck, Silverdale, Spanaway, Steilacoom, Sumner, Tacoma, and University Place. The 29 USDA hardiness zone locations in South Puget Sound are listed below.