Seattle Gardening Guide (2026)

Wet mild winters; cool-season lawn dominates.

USDA zone
8
Typical last frost
04/05
Typical first frost
11/05

Quick answer (Seattle): Gardeners here work in about a 214-day frost-free window around zone 8. State context: Washington (zones 4–9). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 04/05.

🌆 Seattle microclimate

  • Cool, maritime (8a-8b)
  • Mild wet winters, dry summers
  • Excellent for cool-season crops

What to grow here, by environment

full sun
Tomato (Sungold, early types) · Pepper · Squash (needs warmth)
coastal
Kale · Lettuce · Peas · Broccoli · Strawberries
part shade
Spinach · Swiss chard · Arugula
shade
Ferns · Rhododendron · Hosta

Your Seattle planting calendar

Pre-filled with Seattle's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In Washington (typical zone 49, last frost ≈ Apr 5, first frost ≈ Nov 5, 214-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Feb 22
Sow / transplant outdoors
Apr 19
First harvest
Jun 28
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Washington, 2026)

MonthAction
Jan
FebStart indoors
Mar
AprSow · Transplant
May
JunHarvest
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 313 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Seattle

Pre-filled to Washington. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Slugs & Snails

Targets
Lettuce, hostas, seedlings
Signs
Ragged holes; silvery slime trails at night.
Organic / IPM first
Beer traps; diatomaceous earth; hand-pick at night; copper tape.
Chemical option (follow label)
Iron phosphate bait (low toxicity) or metaldehyde.
Prevention
Remove mulch/debris; water in morning not evening.

Crops that fit zone 8

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone — open any for a state-specific planting card: