Seattle Garden Guide 🌱
What to plant, when to plant it, and how to grow it in the Pacific Northwest. Vegetables, herbs, fruit, houseplants & yard ideas for USDA Zone 8b.
🥬 Vegetables & Edibles for Seattle
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
🍓 Fruit for PNW Gardens
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)
🌿 Herbs
🪴 Indoor Plants for PNW Homes
Monstera Deliciosa
Loves PNW's humid winters. Place near a bright window but out of direct sun. Growth slows Nov–Feb with shorter days.
Golden Pothos
Perfect for Seattle's dark winter months—one of few plants that thrives in low light. Great for north-facing apartments.
Snake Plant
Nearly indestructible. Releases oxygen at night—great for PNW bedrooms. Water less in winter.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Challenging in Seattle—needs a bright south-facing window and consistent routine. Consider a grow light Nov–Feb.
Ferns (Boston, Maidenhair)
PNW's naturally humid air helps! Bathrooms are ideal. Seattle's cool temps suit ferns perfectly.
Peace Lily
Excellent for Seattle's overcast days. Filters indoor air. Blooms white flowers even in low light.
Chinese Money Plant
Produces lots of pups for sharing—a favorite at Seattle plant swaps. Rotate for even growth.
Calathea / Prayer Plant
PNW humidity helps but winter heating dries air—use a humidifier. Stunning leaf patterns worth the effort.
📅 Seattle Planting Calendar
View full calendar →❄️ January
- • Plan your garden—order seeds from Territorial Seed Co (Cottage Grove, OR) or Uprising Seeds (Bellingham, WA)
- • Prune dormant fruit trees and roses
- • Start onion seeds indoors under grow lights
- • Clean and sharpen tools
🌱 February
- • Direct sow: peas, fava beans, spinach, radishes (if soil is workable)
- • Start indoors: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
- • Prune blueberries and grapes
- • Apply dormant spray to fruit trees
- + 1 more...
🌷 March
- • Direct sow: lettuce, carrots, beets, chard, kale, potatoes
- • Transplant: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower starts
- • Start basil and cucumbers indoors
- • Divide perennials
- + 1 more...
🏡 Yard Ideas for Seattle
View all ideas →PNW Native Plant Garden
Create a low-maintenance garden with native Pacific Northwest plants that support local pollinators and wildlife.
Rain Garden
Manage Seattle's abundant rainfall naturally. A rain garden captures runoff from roofs/driveways, filtering pollutants before they reach Puget Sound.
Edible Landscaping
Replace ornamental plants with beautiful edibles. Seattle's mild climate supports an incredible range of edible perennials.
📋 My Collection (saved locally in your browser)
Browse plants above and click "Add to Collection" on any plant detail page to track your garden.