When to plant mint in Forks, WA
Plant young mint plants in Forks Apr 1 – May 27.
Why these dates
Forks's typical last spring frost is April 20. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. On the coast, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.
Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Spacing
- One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart
- Planting depth
- Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot
- Frost
- Handles light frost
- First harvest
- Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like
Step by step
- Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
- Plant young mint plants Apr 1 – May 27, One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart. Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot.
- Water regularly; mint likes moist soil. Cut it back hard in midsummer for a fresh flush of leaves.
- Harvest: Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.
Varieties that do well here
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Mojito mint
Watch out for
Mint spreads underground and takes over beds. Grow it in a container.
Spreads aggressively by underground runners, so grow it in a pot or a bottomless bucket sunk in the ground.
Common questions
When is the last frost in Forks, WA?
Typically April 20. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Quillayute Airport.
Is it too late to plant mint in Forks?
The spring planting window runs through May 27. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.
How long until I can pick mint?
Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like. Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.
Also plant in Forks around the same time
Planting dates for mint in nearby areas
- Astoria, OR Apr 1 – May 27
- Coos Bay and North Bend, OR Apr 1 – May 27
- Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA Apr 1 – May 27