A personalized planting guide based on your local climate and garden conditions
Your garden in Seattle, Washington (USDA Zone 8b) benefits from a mild maritime climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The growing season typically runs from mid-March through late October, giving you about 220 frost-free days to work with. Your last spring frost date is estimated around March 15, and your first fall frost typically arrives around November 10.
Based on your climate, soil type, and preferences, here are detailed growing guides for your selected crops:
Varieties recommended: 'Early Girl', 'Stupice', 'Sungold' — these early-maturing varieties perform well in the Pacific Northwest's moderate summers.
Spacing: 18–24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.
Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours daily).
Planting timeline:
Care tips: Use black plastic mulch to warm the soil in spring. Consistent watering is key — 1–2 inches per week. Watch for late blight during wet periods; consider using a simple rain shelter in late summer.
Varieties recommended: 'Genovese', 'Sweet Thai', 'Italian Large Leaf'.
Spacing: 8–12 inches apart.
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours).
Planting timeline:
Care tips: Basil loves warmth — don't plant outside until nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Pinch off flower buds to encourage bushier growth and extend your harvest. Harvest leaves from the top to encourage new growth.
Varieties recommended: 'Buttercrunch', 'Red Sails', 'Romaine' — all thrive in Seattle's cool spring and fall weather.
Spacing: 6–10 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart.
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours).
Planting timeline:
Care tips: Lettuce is a cool-season crop — in Seattle, you can grow it in spring and again in fall. Provide afternoon shade during warm spells to prevent bolting. For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2–3 weeks through early May.
| Month | Tomato | Basil | Lettuce |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Start indoors | — | — |
| March | Indoor care | Start indoors | Direct sow |
| April | Harden off | Indoor care | Harvest begins |
| May | Transplant | Transplant | Harvest |
| June | Grow | Harvest begins | — |
| July–August | Harvest | Harvest | — |
| September | Harvest | Final harvest | Direct sow (fall crop) |
For your loamy soil, incorporate 2–3 inches of compost before planting. Loamy soil is ideal for vegetable gardening — it drains well while retaining enough moisture. Add a balanced organic fertilizer (5-5-5) at the rate recommended on the package.
Seattle's dry summers (July–September) mean you'll need to water regularly. Aim for 1–2 inches of water per week during the growing season. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are ideal — they deliver water directly to the roots and reduce fungal disease risk.
This is a sample — your plan will be tailored to your exact city, climate, soil, and crop choices. Ready in about 3 minutes.
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