Seattle Garden Guide 🌱

Tomatoes

Short-season varieties do best in Seattle. Start indoors Feb–Mar, transplant after last frost (mid-Apr). Use black plastic mulch to warm soil.

Harvest: Jul–Oct

Kale

A PNW superstar. Can grow nearly year-round in Seattle. Sweeter after frost. Start in spring or late summer for fall/winter harvest.

Harvest: Year-round (with protection)

Lettuce & Salad Greens

Thrives in Seattle's cool, mild climate. Direct sow early spring through fall. Bolts in summer heat—plant in shade then.

Harvest: Apr–Nov

Sugar Snap Peas

A PNW spring classic. One of the earliest crops you can direct sow. Peas fix nitrogen in the soil for future crops.

Harvest: May–Jul

Zucchini & Summer Squash

Very productive in Seattle summers. One or two plants can feed a family. Start indoors or direct sow after frost danger.

Harvest: Jul–Oct

Garlic

Plant in October for harvest next July. PNW is one of the best garlic-growing regions in the US. Hardneck types produce delicious scapes in spring.

Harvest: Jul (following year)

Green Beans

Direct sow after soil warms to 60°F. Bush types are quicker to harvest; pole types produce longer.

Harvest: Jul–Oct

Carrots

Thrive in PNW's cool weather. Direct sow spring through mid-summer. Can overwinter in the ground with mulch for winter harvest.

Harvest: Jun–Dec (can overwinter)

Potatoes

Plant seed potatoes in March–April. Hill soil around stems as they grow. Easy and rewarding—great for kids!

Harvest: Jul–Sep

Beets

Cool-weather crop perfect for PNW. Direct sow spring and late summer for fall harvest. Greens are edible and nutritious too!

Harvest: May–Nov

Cucumbers

Need warm soil—start indoors or wait until late May to direct sow. Use a trellis for straighter fruit and better air circulation.

Harvest: Jul–Sep

Swiss Chard

Almost as hardy as kale in Seattle. Beautiful ornamental AND edible. Tolerates light frost and partial shade.

Harvest: Jun–Nov

Broccoli

Cool-weather champion in Seattle. Plant in early spring or late summer for fall harvest. Purple sprouting types overwinter beautifully.

Harvest: May–Jun (spring) or Oct–Dec (fall)

Spinach

Thrives in Seattle’s cool, overcast springs and falls. Bolts quickly in summer heat—grow as a cool-season crop. Can overwinter with protection.

Harvest: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

Peppers

Challenging in Seattle—need warmth. Start early indoors, transplant to warmest spot after last frost. Black plastic mulch and wall-o-water help enormously.

Harvest: Aug–Oct

Radishes

One of the fastest crops—ready in 25–30 days. Perfect for filling gaps between longer crops. Succession sow spring through fall.

Harvest: Apr–Oct (25–60 days depending on variety)

Brussels Sprouts

A PNW fall/winter star. Flavor improves dramatically after frost. Start in spring for fall/winter harvest. Can harvest into January.

Harvest: Oct–Jan

Winter Squash

Needs warm summer months but stores for months after harvest. Delicata is the most reliable in Seattle’s shorter season. Cure before storing.

Harvest: Sep–Oct

Blueberries

The PNW is blueberry country—Washington is the #1 US producer. Acidic native soil is naturally perfect. Plant 2+ varieties for cross-pollination.

Harvest: Jun–Sep

Strawberries

Hood strawberries are legendary in the PNW for their intense flavor. Plant in spring. Everbearing types fruit spring through fall.

Harvest: Jun (June-bearing) or Jun–Oct (everbearing)

Raspberries

The PNW produces 90% of US raspberries—our climate is perfect. Plant bare-root canes in early spring. Extremely productive once established.

Harvest: Jun–Jul (summer) or Aug–Oct (everbearing)

Apple Trees

Washington is the #1 apple-producing state. Most varieties thrive here. Plant two compatible varieties for cross-pollination. Dwarf rootstocks work great in small yards.

Harvest: Aug–Oct (depending on variety)

Fig Trees

Yes, figs grow in Seattle! Desert King is the classic PNW variety—needs no pollination and ripens reliably. Plant against a south-facing wall for extra warmth.

Harvest: Aug–Sep

Basil

Needs warmth—start indoors and transplant after last frost. Grow against south-facing wall or use black mulch for extra warmth.

Rosemary

Perennial in Seattle—once established, it thrives with minimal care. Arp variety is the hardiest for PNW winters.

Cilantro / Coriander

Bolts quickly in heat. Best grown in spring and fall in Seattle. Let some plants go to seed for coriander spice and self-sowing next year.

Thyme

Perennial in Seattle—thrives in poor, well-drained soil. Creeping thyme makes a beautiful drought-tolerant groundcover or lawn alternative.

Mint

Grows aggressively in PNW climate—always plant in containers or it will take over your garden. Thrives in Seattle’s moist conditions.

Lavender

Thrives in Seattle’s dry summers. English varieties are hardiest for PNW winters. Excellent for borders, walkways, and pollinator gardens. Lavender farms dot the San Juan Islands and Sequim.

Blooms: Jun–Aug

Dahlia

Seattle’s unofficial flower! The American Dahlia Society was founded in WA. Plant tubers after last frost. Dig up tubers before hard frost for winter storage, or mulch heavily.

Blooms: Jul–Oct (until first frost)

Peony

Long-lived perennial that blooms spectacularly each spring. Seattle provides perfect winter chill for bud development. Once established, peonies can live 50+ years with minimal care.

Blooms: May–Jun

Hostas

Seattle’s shade gardens love hostas. Our mild, moist climate creates lush specimens. Main challenge is slugs—organic iron phosphate bait is pet-safe and effective.

Blooms: Jul–Aug (lavender flower spikes)

Echinacea / Coneflower

Native prairie plant that thrives in Seattle’s sunny spots. Drought-tolerant once established. Attracts butterflies, bees, and seed-eating birds. Medicinal properties.

Blooms: Jun–Sep

Heather / Heath

Evergreen groundcover that blooms when little else does—winter-blooming varieties are especially valuable in Seattle. Thrives in our acidic soil and mild winters.

Blooms: Nov–Apr (winter types) or Jul–Sep (summer types)

Sunflowers

Easy, rewarding summer annual. Direct sow after last frost. Giant varieties can reach 10+ feet in Seattle’s long summer days. Great for kids’ gardens!

Blooms: Jul–Sep

Sweet Peas

Classic PNW cottage garden flower. Seattle’s cool springs are ideal—sweet peas fade in summer heat. Sow early for longest bloom season. Intoxicating fragrance.

Blooms: May–Jul

Nasturtiums

Edible flowers AND leaves with a peppery kick. Practically indestructible. Thrives in poor soil—too-rich soil produces leaves but few flowers. Great companion plant.

Blooms: Jun–Oct

Rhododendron

Washington’s state flower—grows naturally in PNW forests. Prefers acidic soil (common in Seattle). Provides year-round evergreen structure with spectacular spring blooms.

Blooms: Apr–Jun

Hydrangea

Thrives in Seattle’s climate. Flower color (pink vs blue) depends on soil pH—Seattle’s acidic soil naturally produces blue blooms. Panicle types are most reliable.

Blooms: Jun–Oct

Lilac

Classic spring fragrance. Needs some winter chill to bloom well—Seattle provides just enough. Plant in full sun for best flowering. Bloomerang varieties rebloom in fall.

Blooms: Apr–May (spring); Sep–Oct (reblooming types)

Camellia

One of few shrubs that blooms in Seattle’s dark winter months. Evergreen, elegant, and well-suited to PNW’s acidic soil and mild winters.

Blooms: Oct–Apr (varies by variety)

Japanese Maple

Seattle’s most popular ornamental tree. Hundreds of varieties thrive in our mild, humid climate. Stunning fall color. Protect from hot afternoon sun and drying east winds.

Blooms: Apr–May (flowers); Oct–Nov (peak fall color)

Pacific Dogwood

Washington’s state tree. Elegant white bracts in spring, red berries in fall, and beautiful winter bark. Native to PNW forests—naturally suited to our climate.

Blooms: Apr–May (white bracts); Sep–Oct (fall color)

Ornamental Cherry

Seattle is famous for cherry blossoms—the UW Quad’s Yoshino cherries draw thousands each spring. Fast-growing, stunning display. Short-lived (30–50 years) but worth every year.

Blooms: Mar–Apr (2–3 week peak bloom)