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When to Plant Artichoke in Skagit County, WA

Globe artichokes are large thistle-like perennials prized for their edible flower buds. They produce striking silvery foliage and can be grown as ornamentals.

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Skagit County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Artichoke during the growing season.

Skagit County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Skagit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Artichoke Planting Timeline โ€” Skagit County, WA

Artichoke Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Oct 30

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“8 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

208 days in Skagit County

Growing Tips for Skagit County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture and mulch heavily. Harvest buds before scales begin to open for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Artichoke in Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Artichoke planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Skagit County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Skagit County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.