Rainline Garden

When to plant strawberries in Olympia, WA

Plant strawberry plants in Olympia Apr 1 – May 13.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. As a hardy perennial, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

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.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 to 18 inches apart
Planting depth
Crown at soil level: not buried, roots covered
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
A light crop the first summer; full crops from the second year

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant strawberry plants Apr 1 – May 13, 12 to 18 inches apart. Crown at soil level: not buried, roots covered.
  3. Water regularly, mulch with straw, and pinch off runners in the first year so plants put energy into roots.
  4. Harvest: Pick fully red berries every couple of days, in the morning, with the cap attached.

Varieties that do well here

  • Hood (an Oregon classic)
  • Shuksan
  • Seascape (everbearing)
  • Albion (day-neutral)

Watch out for

Gray mold (botrytis) in wet springs and slugs on ripe berries. Mulch with straw to keep fruit off the soil.

June-bearers give one big crop; everbearers and day-neutrals give smaller harvests through summer. Oregon and Washington breeding programs have produced many of the best varieties for this climate.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Olympia, WA?

Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.

Is it too late to plant strawberries in Olympia?

The spring planting window runs through May 13. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer. Fall planting also works well here.

How long until I can pick strawberries?

A light crop the first summer; full crops from the second year. Pick fully red berries every couple of days, in the morning, with the cap attached.

Also plant in Olympia around the same time

Planting dates for strawberries in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Olympia · Strawberries in every city