Olympia, WA frost dates and planting calendar

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Frost dates are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport (57 m elevation). Gardens in cold hollows or at higher elevation can frost later in spring and earlier in fall.

What to plant now

Make a garden plan for Olympia Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.

Planting calendar

Planting dates for Olympia

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant in the garden	Plant again for fall
PeasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 29	—
RadishesPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – May 13	Sep 2–16
SpinachPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 22	Aug 19 – Sep 9
LettucePlant seeds or young plants	Feb 4–18	Mar 18 – May 13	Aug 19 – Sep 2
OnionsPlant small onion bulbs (sets)	—	Mar 18 – Apr 22	—
CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Jul 22 – Aug 5
BeetsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Aug 5–19
KalePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 18 – Mar 4	Apr 1 – May 13	Aug 5–19
BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 11–25	Apr 1 – May 6	Jul 22 – Aug 5
CabbagePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 11–25	Apr 1 – May 6	Jul 22 – Aug 5
Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Aug 5–19
PotatoesPlant seed potatoes	—	Apr 1 – May 13	—
Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 21 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 14 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10 – Jun 7 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10 – Jun 7 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Winter squash and pumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10–31 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 15–29	May 10 – Jun 7 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
PeppersPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 1–15	May 10–31 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
BasilPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 29 – Apr 12	May 10 – Jun 7 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
DahliasPlant tubers	—	May 10 – Jun 7 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
CilantroPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – May 6	Aug 26 – Sep 9
ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 4–18	Apr 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 11–25	Apr 1–29	Jul 15–29
Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 4–18	Apr 1 – May 13	—
LeeksPlant young plants (starts)	Jan 21 – Feb 4	Apr 1 – May 13	—
ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 29	Aug 26 – Sep 16
Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 11–25	Mar 18 – Apr 22	Aug 19 – Sep 2
TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 29	Aug 12–26
KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 18 – Mar 4	Apr 1 – May 13	Aug 12–26
EggplantPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 1–15	May 10–31 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
MelonsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 12–19	May 10–31 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	May 10 – Jun 14 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 22	—
ShallotsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 15
AsparagusPlant dormant crowns	—	Apr 1 – May 13	—
RhubarbPlant dormant crowns	—	Mar 18 – Apr 29	—
ChivesPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 4–18	Apr 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 10 – Jun 21 Keep frost cover handy at first	—
Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 18 – Apr 22	—
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

• Portland, OR
• Gresham, OR
• Wilsonville and Canby, OR
• Salem, OR
• Eugene, OR
• Roseburg, OR

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