When to Plant Potatoes in Washington
In Washington, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Feb 9 – Feb 23 in Burien to Apr 15 – Apr 29 in Pullman. In Seattle, it's Feb 15 – Mar 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 9 weeks across the state (Mar 2 in Burien, May 6 in Pullman), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Washington by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 8b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Bellevue | 9a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Bellingham | 8b | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Bothell | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Bremerton | 8b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Burien | 9a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Des Moines | 9a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Edmonds | 9a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Everett | 8b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Federal Way | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Issaquah | 8b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Kennewick | 7b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Kent | 8b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Kirkland | 9a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Lacey | 8b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Lake Stevens | 8b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Lakewood | 8b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Longview | 8b | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Lynnwood | 9a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Marysville | 8b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Mount Vernon | 8b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Olympia | 8b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Pasco | 7b | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Pullman | 6b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Puyallup | 8b | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Redmond | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Renton | 9a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Richland | 7b | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Sammamish | 8b | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| SeaTac | 9a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Seattle | 9a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Shoreline | 9a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Spokane | 7a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Spokane Valley | 7a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Tacoma | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| University Place | 8b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Vancouver | 8b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Walla Walla | 7a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Wenatchee | 7a | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Yakima | 7a | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Washington, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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