When to plant · 6 plants

Tomatoes and summer crops

Heat lovers that wait for warm soil. Pick one for its dates in your town and how to grow it.

Planting order

When each one first goes in around Portland, starting indoors where that comes first. Colder towns run later.

Early spring: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Tomatillos, Ground cherries
Late spring: Sweet corn

Planting windows at a glance

Main planting window in five reference towns. Each plant's page has every town.

Plant	Portland	Seattle and Tacoma	Bend and Redmond	Spokane	Boise and Meridian
Tomatoes	May 15 – Jun 12	May 15 – Jun 12	Jun 9 – Jul 7	May 20 – Jun 17	May 1–29
Peppers	May 25 – Jun 15	May 25 – Jun 15	Jun 16 – Jul 7	May 30 – Jun 20	May 10–31
Eggplant	May 25 – Jun 15	May 25 – Jun 15	Jun 16 – Jul 7	May 30 – Jun 20	May 10–31
Sweet corn	May 10 – Jun 14	May 10 – Jun 14	Jun 16 – Jul 21	May 15 – Jun 19	May 1 – Jun 5
Tomatillos	May 15 – Jun 12	May 15 – Jun 12	Jun 9 – Jul 7	May 20 – Jun 17	May 1–29
Ground cherries	May 15 – Jun 12	May 15 – Jun 12	Jun 9 – Jul 7	May 20 – Jun 17	May 1–29

Growing tomatoes and summer crops in the Northwest

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet corn and tomatillos are heat lovers, and in much of the Northwest the limit is warmth, not frost. West of the Cascades the soil stays cold well into May and summer nights are cool, so these crops need a sheltered, sunny spot and patience. Planting early into cold soil rarely gains time; the plants just sit.

Most of them are best started indoors or bought as young plants, then set out once nights stay warm. Peppers, eggplant and basil want it warmer than tomatoes do, so they usually go out a week or two later. Black plastic mulch, a south-facing wall or a simple cloche can make a real difference in cool coastal and western gardens. East of the Cascades the summers are hot enough, but the season can be short and late frosts are more common.

Choose varieties for the climate, not the catalog photo. Early and cool-tolerant tomatoes ripen far more reliably here than big late beefsteaks, and blight-resistant varieties help in wet falls. Water deeply and evenly to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking. Cherry tomatoes are the easiest place to start.

Common questions

When can I plant tomatoes outside in Portland or Seattle?

Usually mid to late May, once nights stay above about 50°F and the soil has warmed. Planting earlier in cold soil rarely gets you earlier tomatoes.

Which tomatoes ripen in a cool Northwest summer?

Early and cherry varieties are the most reliable. Give them the hottest spot you have, and choose varieties bred for short or cool seasons.

Do I need to start peppers and tomatoes indoors?

Yes, or buy young plants. The season is too short to grow them from seed sown outside. Start seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before your planting date.