When to Plant Tomatoes in Clallam County, WA
May to-do list for Clallam County, Washington
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Time to transplant tomatoes
Your last frost (April 23) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: tomatoes
Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.
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 Tomatoes to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.
Clallam County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Clallam County
How your county's soil matches Tomatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Tomatoes's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clallam County is excellent for Tomatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Tomatoes will thrive.
How to Plant Tomatoes
Succession Planting Tomatoes
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes
Tomatoes needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Tomatoes Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 8.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 5.2" | 4.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 5.2" | 3" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 5.2" | 2.1" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 5.2" | 0.8" | 4.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 5.2" | 1.1" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 5.2" | 2.5" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 5.2" | 4" | 1.2" | 💧 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.
Tomatoes Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Clallam County, WA
Tomatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Direct Sow | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 21 |
| Harvest | July 9 | Jul 9 – Sep 17 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.2"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
186 days in Clallam County
Growing Tips for Tomatoes in Clallam County
Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after April 23 in Clallam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Tomatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.
Recommended Tomatoes Varieties for Clallam County
Disease-resistant varieties for your humid climate
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.
Tomatoes in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tomatoes in Clallam County, WA?
Clallam County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Tomatoes 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.
Your Clallam County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-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.