When to plant sweet peas in Forks, WA
Plant sweet peas from seed, directly in the garden in Forks, Mar 25 – Apr 29.
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 March 25.
Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Sun
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 4 to 6 inches apart along a trellis
- Planting depth
- 1 inch deep (soak seeds overnight first)
- Frost
- Handles light frost
- Flowers
- Blooms in early summer
Step by step
- Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
- Plant seeds Mar 25 – Apr 29, 1 inch deep (soak seeds overnight first), 4 to 6 inches apart along a trellis.
- Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
- Harvest: Cut stems every couple of days; the more you pick, the more they bloom. Plants stop flowering once pods form.
Varieties that do well here
- Cupani (very fragrant)
- Spencer mix
- Royal Family (more heat-tolerant)
Watch out for
Aphids and powdery mildew late in the season. Sow early so plants peak before summer heat.
A classic cut flower that loves cool Northwest springs. Sow early, give them a trellis and pick often. The seeds are toxic, so these are for flowers only.
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 sweet peas in Forks?
The spring planting window runs through April 29. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.
When do sweet peas bloom?
Blooms in early summer. Cut stems every couple of days; the more you pick, the more they bloom. Plants stop flowering once pods form.
Also plant in Forks around the same time
Planting dates for sweet peas in nearby areas
- Astoria, OR Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Coos Bay and North Bend, OR Mar 25 – Apr 29
- Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA Mar 25 – Apr 29