For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac Daily newsletter.

Planting Calendar for Olympia, WA

Enter your zip code or postal code above.

The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

Use the icon below for the best print or email format.

Print Friendly and PDF

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 6 (at OLYMPIA AP, WA climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 18-Sep 22
Moon Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 14-Aug 11
Moon Jul 14-23, Aug 10-11
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 28-Aug 18
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 7-14
Moon Jul 7-10
Frost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 16-30
Moon Jun 25-30
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 7-14
Moon Jul 7-10
Frost Jul 28-Aug 4
Moon Jul 28-Aug 4
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 21-28
Moon Jul 21-23
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 30-Jul 7
Moon Jun 30-Jul 7
Frost Jul 14-21
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 14-Aug 11
Moon Jul 24-Aug 9
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 7-21
Moon Jul 7-10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 20-Nov 2
Moon Oct 20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 21-Aug 4
Moon Jul 24-Aug 4
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 4-25
Moon Aug 4-9, Aug 23-25
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 4-25
Moon Aug 4-9, Aug 23-25
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 25-Sep 8
Moon Sep 8
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 18-Sep 8
Moon Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 28-Aug 11
Moon Jul 28-Aug 9
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 4-18
Moon Aug 10-18
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 5 (at OLYMPIA AP, WA climate station, elevation 187 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 27-28
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
Sep 8
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 21-26
May 5
BasilFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 26-Jun 2
Frost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 26-Jun 2
Aug 25
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 21-26
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 13-14
May 19
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 23-Mar 10
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
N/AJul 14
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jun 16
BroccoliFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
Aug 4
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
Jun 30
CabbageFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 12
CantaloupesFrost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 27-28
Frost May 5-19
Moon May 5-12
Frost May 12-19
Moon May 12
Jun 30
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 13-21
Jul 28
CauliflowerFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 28-May 12
Moon Apr 28-May 12
N/AJul 21
CeleryFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-12
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
Frost May 5
Moon May 5
Jul 28
ChivesFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Aug 11
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 5-19
Moon May 5-12
May 26
CollardsFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 14-21
Jul 28
CucumbersFrost Apr 14-21
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jul 28
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 28-May 19
Moon Apr 28-May 12
Aug 11
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jun 30
EggplantsFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
N/AJul 28
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
FennelFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost May 12-19
Moon May 12
Frost May 5-19
Moon May 5-12
Jul 21
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 12-Jun 2
Moon May 12, May 27-Jun 2
Jul 28
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 14-21
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jul 7
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 23-Mar 10
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
KohlrabiFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
LeeksFrost Feb 23-Mar 10
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 27-28
N/AJun 23
LettuceFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 7-12
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Frost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 26-Jun 2
Jul 28
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 13-21
N/AJun 30
OreganoFrost Feb 23-Mar 24
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10, Mar 11-14
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
N/AJul 28
ParsleyFrost Feb 23-Mar 10
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
Frost Apr 7-May 12
Moon Apr 7-12, Apr 27-May 12
Jul 21
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 13-14
Jun 30
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 26-Jun 9
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 13-21
Jul 28
PumpkinsFrost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 27-28
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jun 23
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 13-14
Aug 11
RosemaryFrost Feb 9-23
Moon Feb 9-12
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
N/AAug 11
SageFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
N/AJul 21
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 13-21
Jun 30
SpinachFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 7-12
May 19
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 26-Jun 2
Jul 21
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 19-25
Jun 23
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
Frost Apr 14-May 5
Moon Apr 27-May 5
May 19
ThymeFrost Feb 23-Mar 10
Moon Feb 27-Mar 10
Frost May 12-19
Moon May 12
N/AJul 14
TomatillosFrost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 29-Apr 7
Frost May 19-Jun 2
Moon May 26-Jun 2
N/AJul 21
TomatoesFrost Mar 10-24
Moon Mar 10-14
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
N/AJul 7
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 13-14
Sep 8
WatermelonsFrost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 27-28
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Frost May 12-19
Moon May 12
Jul 7
Winter SquashFrost Apr 14-21
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Jun 16
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 14-21
Frost May 12-26
Moon May 12
Frost May 19-26
Moon May 26
Aug 4
The Old Farmer's Store