Rainline Garden

Forks, WA frost dates and planting calendar

The typical last spring frost in Forks is April 20, and the first fall frost is around October 26. Plant peas from Mar 25; plant tomatoes from May 20.

Last spring frostApril 20Typical date. Frost is over by May 10 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostOctober 26Typical date. Comes as early as Oct 2 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season189 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Frost dates are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Quillayute Airport (56 m elevation). Gardens in cold hollows or at higher elevation can frost later in spring and earlier in fall.

What to plant now

Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.

New to gardening? Start with these 5 easy crops

They're forgiving, quick and hard to kill in Forks. Tap one for planting dates and step-by-step instructions, or read the beginner's guide.

Planting calendar

How to read this: each bar shows when to do that job. Dashed bars are for starting seeds indoors in trays; solid bars are for planting in the garden.

Planting dates for Forks

CropStart seeds indoorsPlant in the gardenPlant again for fall
PeasPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – May 6—
RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – May 20Sep 3–17
SpinachPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – Apr 29Aug 20 – Sep 10
LettucePlant seeds or young plants
Feb 11–25Mar 25 – May 20Aug 20 – Sep 3
OnionsPlant small onion bulbs (sets)
—Mar 25 – Apr 29—
CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
—Apr 1 – May 27Jul 23 – Aug 6
BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
—Apr 1 – May 27Aug 6–20
KalePlant young plants (starts)
Feb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – May 13Aug 6–20
BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
Feb 11–25Apr 1 – May 6Jul 23 – Aug 6
CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
Feb 11–25Apr 1 – May 6Jul 23 – Aug 6
Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
—Apr 1 – May 27Aug 6–20
PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
—Apr 1 – May 13—
Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
—May 15 – Jun 26—
Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
—May 15 – Jun 19—
CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
Apr 22–29May 20 – Jun 17—
Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
Apr 22–29May 20 – Jun 17—
Winter squash and pumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
Apr 22–29May 20 – Jun 10—
TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
Mar 25 – Apr 8May 20 – Jun 17—
PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
Mar 11–25May 20 – Jun 10—
BasilPlant young plants (starts)
Apr 8–22May 20 – Jun 17—
DahliasPlant tubers
—May 20 – Jun 17—
CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – May 13Aug 27 – Sep 10
ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
Feb 4–18Apr 1 – May 20—
DillPlant seeds in the ground
—Apr 1 – Jun 3—
StrawberriesPlant young plants
—Apr 1 – May 13—
BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
—Apr 1 – May 20—
RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
—Apr 1 – May 13—
GarlicPlant cloves
——Oct 1 – Nov 15
CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
Feb 11–25Apr 1–29Jul 16–30
Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
Feb 4–18Apr 1 – May 13—
LeeksPlant young plants (starts)
Jan 21 – Feb 4Apr 1 – May 13—
ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – May 6Aug 27 – Sep 17
Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
Feb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 29Aug 20 – Sep 3
TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – May 6Aug 13–27
KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
Feb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – May 13Aug 13–27
EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
Mar 11–25May 20 – Jun 10—
MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
Apr 22–29May 20 – Jun 10—
Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
—May 15 – Jun 19—
Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – Apr 29—
ShallotsPlant bulbs
——Oct 1 – Nov 15
AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
—Apr 1 – May 13—
RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
—Mar 25 – May 6—
ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
Feb 4–18Apr 1 – May 27—
MintPlant young plants
—Apr 1 – May 27—
RosemaryPlant young plants
—Apr 1 – May 20—
ThymePlant young plants
—Apr 1 – May 27—
OreganoPlant young plants
—Apr 1 – May 27—
SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
—May 15 – Jun 26—
Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
—Mar 25 – Apr 29—
TulipsPlant bulbs
——Oct 1 – Nov 15
DaffodilsPlant bulbs
——Oct 1 – Nov 15

Dates are a guide, not a guarantee. Check the soil before planting: cool-season crops need it workable and not soggy; warm-season crops need it warm. A $10 soil thermometer pays for itself. Unfamiliar terms are explained in the glossary.

Nearby areas with similar weather

All Oregon and Washington cities or use the planner with your ZIP.