Washington Gardening Guide (2026)

Wet west, dry east. Mild wet winters; cool-season lawn dominant.

Garden countdownToday: Aug 19

USDA 2023 zones + NOAA 1991-2020 frost normals. Estimates — check your local forecast before planting.

USDA hardiness zone
49
Region
Pacific West
Typical last spring frost
04/15
Typical first fall frost
10/25
Frost-free season
193 days
Lawn grass type
Cool-season

Quick answer (Washington): Most of the state gardens in USDA zones 49 with about a 193-day frost-free window. Plan around the typical last frost of 04/15; start warm-season crops indoors ~6 weeks earlier. Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates.

Your Washington planting calendar

Pre-filled for Washington. Pick a crop to see indoor start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.

In Washington (typical zone 49, last frost ≈ Apr 15, first frost ≈ Oct 25, 193-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Sow / transplant outdoors
Apr 29
First harvest
Jul 8
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Washington, 2026)

MonthAction
Jan
Feb
MarStart indoors
AprSow · Transplant
May
Jun
JulHarvest
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.

Lawns in Washington

Best grass types for your climate:

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue

Open the lawn care scheduler →

Common pests in Washington

The pests most reported in your region, with organic-first treatments:

Slugs & SnailsAphidsLeaf-Footed BugGarden Snail

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.

What grows well in Washington

Crops suitable for zones 49:

CropTypeSpacingDays to harvest
TomatoWarm-season2470
PepperWarm-season1875
LettuceCool-season845
CarrotCool-season365
Green BeansWarm-season455
SpinachCool-season640
CucumberWarm-season1255
ZucchiniWarm-season3650
KaleCool-season1255
BroccoliCool-season1870

Figures are typical (30-year normals) from USDA and state extension services. Always confirm your local last/first freeze and product labels with your county extension before acting.