For seeds to grow there needs to be the right combination of light, soil temperature, nutrients and moisture. Here in our cool Northwest climate one of the main things is waiting until the soil is really warm enough for germination to occur. Spring crops need soil temperatures in the 50’s to 60’s while summer crops need temperatures in the high 60’s. You can raise the soil temperature some by using cloches or other methods to trap heat and warm the soil.
Seasons can vary year to year but a rough guide to use is planting by the holidays:
- Peas by President’s Day
- Potatoes by St. Patrick’s Day, (this one is easy to remember)
- Corn and beans by Mother’s Day
- Tomatoes, squash and cucumbers by Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthday. (Ok, this one is a bit esoteric – it’s June 8th.)
To get more detailed planting information a great resource is Seattle Tilth’s Maritime Northwest Garden Guide.
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