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When to Plant Pansy in Clallam County, WA

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. 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 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pansy to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pansy root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Clallam County, WA (Zone 8b) 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

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

Pansy needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 8.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 9.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 7.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clallam County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pansy Planting Timeline — Clallam County, WA

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Bloom May 28 May 28 – Sep 17
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Bloom
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Fall Sowing Bloom
September Bloom
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Clallam County

Growing Tips for Clallam County

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?

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

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Your Clallam County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clallam County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.