When to plant tomatoes in Spokane, WA

Start tomatoes from seed indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8, then plant the young plants in the garden in Spokane May 20 – Jun 17.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Spokane's typical last spring frost is April 26. Frost kills tomatoes, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about May 20.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

Difficulty: Moderate
Sun: Full sun; the hottest spot you have
Spacing: 2 feet apart
Planting depth: Bury the stem up to the first leaves
Frost: Killed by frost
First harvest: About 75 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden May 20 – Jun 17, 2 feet apart. Bury the stem up to the first leaves.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Harvest: Pick when fully colored. Before fall rains, pick green tomatoes and ripen them indoors.

Varieties that do well here

Stupice
Early Girl
Sungold (cherry)
Oregon Spring (bred at OSU)

Watch out for

Late blight in wet falls turns leaves and fruit brown. Keep leaves dry and give plants space.

OSU Extension advises waiting for soil consistently above 70°F. Early or cherry varieties ripen most reliably here.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Spokane, WA?

Typically April 26. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Spokane International Airport.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Spokane?

The spring planting window runs through June 17. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 12.

When should I start tomatoes from seed indoors in Spokane?

March 25 to April 8, which is 8 to 6 weeks before the May 20 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

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Why Northwest Gardeners Should Plant by Soil TemperatureThe air warms up long before the soil does here. A $10 soil thermometer tells you when it's really time to plant beans, squash and tomatoes.

Also plant in Spokane around the same time

Planting dates for tomatoes in nearby areas

Ellensburg, WA May 20 – Jun 17
Omak and Okanogan, WA May 20 – Jun 17

Full planting calendar for Spokane · Tomatoes in every city