Walla Walla, WA frost dates and planting calendar

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Frost dates are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Walla Walla Regional Airport (355 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 Walla Walla Pick your plants and get a dated, printable to-do list.

Planting calendar

Planting dates for Walla Walla

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant in the garden	Plant again for fall
PeasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – May 1	—
RadishesPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – May 15	Sep 3–17
SpinachPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – Apr 24	Aug 20 – Sep 10
LettucePlant seeds or young plants	Feb 6–20	Mar 20 – May 15	Aug 20 – Sep 3
OnionsPlant small onion bulbs (sets)	—	Mar 20 – Apr 24	—
CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Jul 23 – Aug 6
BeetsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Aug 6–20
KalePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 18 – Mar 4	Apr 1 – May 13	Aug 6–20
BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 11–25	Apr 1 – May 6	Jul 23 – Aug 6
CabbagePlant young plants (starts)	Feb 11–25	Apr 1 – May 6	Jul 23 – Aug 6
Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 1 – May 27	Aug 6–20
PotatoesPlant seed potatoes	—	Apr 1 – May 13	—
Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 25 – Jun 6	—
Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 25 – May 30	—
CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 3–10	May 1–29	—
Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 3–10	May 1–29	—
Winter squash and pumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 3–10	May 1–22	—
TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 6–20	May 1–29	—
PeppersPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 20 – Mar 6	May 1–22	—
BasilPlant young plants (starts)	Mar 20 – Apr 3	May 1–29	—
DahliasPlant tubers	—	May 1–29	—
CilantroPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – May 8	Aug 27 – Sep 10
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 1
CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 11–25	Apr 1–29	Jul 16–30
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 20 – May 1	Aug 27 – Sep 17
Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 13–27	Mar 20 – Apr 24	Aug 20 – Sep 3
TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – May 1	Aug 13–27
KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants	Feb 18 – Mar 4	Apr 1 – May 13	Aug 13–27
EggplantPlant young plants (starts)	Feb 20 – Mar 6	May 1–22	—
MelonsPlant seeds or young plants	Apr 3–10	May 1–22	—
Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	Apr 25 – May 30	—
Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – Apr 24	—
ShallotsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 1
AsparagusPlant dormant crowns	—	Apr 1 – May 13	—
RhubarbPlant dormant crowns	—	Mar 20 – May 1	—
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	—	Apr 25 – Jun 6	—
Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground	—	Mar 20 – Apr 24	—
TulipsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 1
DaffodilsPlant bulbs	—	—	Oct 1 – Nov 1

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

• Pendleton, OR
• The Dalles, OR
• Yakima, WA
• Wenatchee, WA
• Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA
• Moses Lake, WA

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