When to plant rutabaga in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 6b–9a, so the right time to plant rutabaga shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about February 15 in Port Townsend to May 16 in Cheney — below are local dates for 132 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 9a | March 8 | November 23 | February 22 – March 22 |
| Spokane | 7a | April 26 | October 15 | April 12 – May 10 |
| Tacoma | 8b | March 8 | November 14 | February 22 – March 22 |
| Vancouver | 8b | March 29 | November 9 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Bellevue | 9a | March 8 | November 23 | February 22 – March 22 |
| Kent | 8b | March 20 | November 10 | March 6 – April 3 |
| Everett | 8b | March 24 | November 2 | March 10 – April 7 |
| Spokane Valley | 7a | April 26 | October 15 | April 12 – May 10 |
Rutabaga in Washington: FAQ
When can I plant rutabaga in Washington?
Across Washington, the time to direct-sow rutabaga spans roughly February 15 in Port Townsend to May 16 in Cheney, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rutabaga planting date vary across Washington?
Yes. Washington publishes 132 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rutabaga planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does rutabaga take to grow in Washington?
Rutabaga takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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