Although nothing is guaranteed, this guide may help you plan your planting and – for those who just can’t wait until the snow melts – pause just long enough to keep starts from getting frost-bit or too “leggy.”
• Thanks to Alicia Crockett for sourcing this helpful information!
Notes
* An asterisk indicates seeds that do best when directly sown outdoors. However, given our short growing season, starting these seeds indoors will give you a head start and quicker harvest.
** The dates shown are based on the average (50% chance) “Last Frost Date” of June 4 as reported by the Mt. Adams Ranger Station. For reference, reported dates for the last spring frost (32° F) are: early (10% chance), May 9; average (50% chance), June 4; late (90% chance), June 30.
Reported dates for the first fall frost (32° F) are: early (10% chance), August 30; average (50% chance), September 16; late (90% chance), October 4.
| Timing | Date** | Start Seeds Indoors | Transplant or Direct Sow Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10 weeks before |
March 26 |
celery, celeriac, leeks, onions, parsley |
n/a |
|
9 weeks before |
April 2 |
celery, celeriac, leeks, onions, parsley |
n/a |
|
8 weeks before |
April 9 |
brussels sprouts, celery, celeriac, eggplant, leeks, onions parsley, peppers, scallions, tomatoes |
n/a |
|
7 weeks before |
April 16 |
brussels sprouts, eggplant, peppers, scallions, tomatoes |
n/a |
|
6 weeks before |
April 23 |
basil, beets*, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards*, eggplant, kale* kohlrabi*, peppers, scallions, tomatoes |
garlic cloves (green garlic), peas, spinach |
|
5 weeks before |
April 30 |
basil, beets*, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards*, kale*, kohlrabi* scallions |
garlic cloves (green garlic), peas, spinach |
|
4 weeks before |
May 7 |
basil, broccoli, cabbage, chard*, collards*, corn*, cucumbers*, kale*, kohlrabi* lettuce* muskmelons, mustard greens* pumpkins*, scallions, summer squash*, watermelons, winter squash* |
arugula, bulb fennel, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, scallions, shallot sets, spinach, turnips |
|
3 weeks before |
May 14 |
corn*, cucumbers*, muskmelons, pumpkins*, summer squash*, watermelons, winter squash* |
bulb fennel, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, collards, dill, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, shallot sets, turnips |
|
2 weeks before |
May 21 |
corn*, muskmelons, watermelons |
beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, bulb fennel, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, cilantro, collards, dill, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, shallot sets, turnips |
|
1 week before |
May 28 |
muskmelons, watermelons |
carrots, cilantro, dill, parsley |
|
Average Last
Frost Date • June 4 |
muskmelons, watermelons |
bush beans, cilantro, corn, dill, okra, parsley, pole beans |
|
|
1 week after |
June 11 |
|
basil, bush beans, celery, celeriac, corn, cucumbers, muskmelons, okra, peppers, pole beans, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash |
|
2 weeks after |
June 18 |
|
bush beans, cucumbers, eggplant, muskmelons, okra, peppers, pole beans, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash |