When to Plant in Spokane, WA

Spokane is Eastern Washington — a completely different climate from Seattle. No marine influence here. Zone 6b gives Spokane hot, dry summers (often 90–95°F), cold winters with significant snow, and a last frost around May 13. You get about 160 frost-free days.

Eastern Washington's sunny, dry summers are actually excellent for growing tomatoes, peppers, and melons — crops that would struggle in Seattle's maritime climate. The trade-off is irrigation: Spokane gets only 16 inches of rain per year, almost all in winter and spring. Summer gardening requires consistent deep watering.

What to plant now in Spokane

Spring: After last frost around May 13 — tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn.
Early Spring (Mar–Apr): Cold-hardy crops — peas, spinach, lettuce, and kale as soon as soil is workable.
Fall: Broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach for October harvest.
Winter: Garlic planted in October overwinters under snow. Planning and seed ordering.

In Spokane (143 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Spokane

Month	What to do
January	Order seeds. Plan garden layout. Soil often frozen.
February	Start onion and leek seeds indoors. Start tomato seeds late February.
March	Start pepper and tomato seeds indoors. Direct sow peas and spinach when soil thaws.
April	Transplant cold-hardy seedlings. After May 13 — transplant tomatoes and peppers.
May	Full spring planting: beans, squash, cucumbers, corn. Set up irrigation.
June	Warm summer begins. Water consistently — no summer rain expected.
July	Peak growing season. Deep water twice weekly. Tomatoes producing.
August	Harvest summer crops. Plant fall broccoli and kale transplants.
September	Plant fall lettuce and spinach. First frosts possible late month.
October	First frost around October 3. Harvest tender crops. Plant garlic.
November	Garden winds down. Mulch garlic beds. Clean and store tools.
December	Rest season. Plan next year and review what worked.

Frost dates for Spokane ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
99208	May 13	October 3	6b
99205	May 13	October 3	7a
99212	May 6	October 3	7a
99217	May 6	October 3	6b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Spokane, WA?

Spokane's average last frost date is around May 13 — about 3 weeks later than Seattle. Start warm-season seeds indoors in late February and transplant outdoors after late April.

Is Spokane's climate good for tomatoes?

Yes — Spokane's hot, sunny summers are actually better for tomatoes than Western Washington. Choose mid-season varieties (70–80 days) and expect excellent production from July through September.

How much do I need to water in Spokane?

Significantly. Spokane receives almost no rain from June through September. Deep watering 2–3 times per week (or a drip system on a timer) is essential for a productive summer garden.

How is Spokane different from Seattle for gardening?

Night and day. Spokane has hotter, sunnier summers — great for tomatoes, peppers, and melons. But it also has colder winters and requires irrigation. Seattle's maritime climate favors cool-season crops year-round.

How does Plan My Garden help Spokane gardeners?

Enter your Spokane zip code and we'll look up your exact Eastern Washington frost dates, then generate a full planting schedule for every crop — tuned for Spokane's dry continental climate.