When to Sow Autumn Spinach in Washington
In western Washington, sow autumn spinach roughly from the last days of August through early October.
Gardening in Washington
Everything we have worked out for Washington: what to plant and when, which varieties finish in time, the pests that actually turn up here, and the jobs that pay off month by month. We also cover the rest of the property, from lawns and soil to home care and energy, because a garden rarely stops at the vegetable bed.
The numbers first, because everything else follows from them. Measured at the weather station in Seattle, the last spring freeze runs February 27 to March 18 and the first fall freeze runs November 13 to November 30, USDA zones 4a-9a, 2,353 growing degree days in the year.
That is enough for early varieties, tight for anything late. Garlic does well: 17.4 weeks below 40 °F, comfortably past the six it needs to form a proper head.
Elsewhere on the property in Washington: the pests that turn up here.
Figures from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. A state is not one climate: elevation, a large lake or the coast can move these dates by two weeks either way, so check your own county with the extension service before you spend money.
Will Spinach Bolt Early in Washington?
Spinach will bolt early across western Washington, but not because summer turns hot.
When to Sow Parsnips in Washington
Western Washington gets its answer from soil and light more than from the calendar.
Will Parsnips Sweeten in Washington?
Western Washington’s maritime winters rarely deliver hard, sustained frost. The coldest month averages a minimum of 37.1°F, well above freezing, so…
Will Washington Soil Hold an Asparagus Bed for Fifteen Years?
Yes, but with a condition attached. Fifteen years is the outer edge of an asparagus bed’s life, and the only soil rule that matters is drainage, not…
When to Plant Asparagus Crowns in Washington
Plant asparagus crowns in western Washington in early spring, timed loosely to the region’s frost window of February 27 to March 18.
When Does the Heating Season Start in Washington?
Heating demand in Washington begins in September, when the statewide reference station’s average temperature first dips below the 65°F mark used to…
Growing Sweet Corn in Washington: Will It Ripen?
Sweet corn ripens reliably in western Washington, but only if you wait for the soil, not the calendar.
Growing Asparagus in Washington: Fifteen Years in One Spot
An asparagus bed asks for one thing above all: soil that drains. The Tokul series, the soil USDA lists as representative of Washington, is described as…
When to Sow Pumpkins in Washington
In western Washington, sow pumpkin seed only after soil temperature reaches 65°F, not on the last frost date.