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When to Plant Salsify in Clallam County, WA

Salsify is a root vegetable with a subtle oyster-like flavor, earning it the nickname "oyster plant." It produces long, slender, cream-colored roots.

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Clallam County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Salsify to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Salsify root diseases.

Clallam County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Clallam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 3

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Salsify needs ~1,409 GDD — county provides 2,278 GDD Excellent fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Clallam County, WA

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Clallam County

Direct sow in spring in deeply worked, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed only as viability drops quickly. Harvest in late fall after frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salsify in Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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