When to Plant Snapdragon in Yakima County, WA
June in the garden — Yakima County, Washington
Welcome to June in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
- Starting indoors: snapdragon
- First harvests: snapdragon
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.
Yakima County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.
At an elevation of 3,150 feet, Yakima County receives approximately 18 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Snapdragon during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Snapdragon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Yakima County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Snapdragon 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 Yakima County
How your county's soil matches Snapdragon's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.3) is more acidic than Snapdragon prefers (6.2–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Yakima County is excellent for Snapdragon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Snapdragon will thrive.
How to Plant Snapdragon
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Snapdragon
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.
Snapdragon Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Snapdragon
Snapdragon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Snapdragon Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Yakima County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Snapdragon 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.
Snapdragon Planting Timeline — Yakima County, WA
Snapdragon Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Direct Sow | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Bloom | July 15 | Jul 15 – Oct 7 |
| Fall Sowing | August 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
· 9" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Fall Sowing Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6.2–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
150 days in Yakima County
Growing Tips for Snapdragon in Yakima County
Direct sow Snapdragon outdoors after May 06 in Yakima County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Yakima County receives only 18" of rain annually. Snapdragon needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Snapdragon in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snapdragon in Yakima County, WA?
Yakima County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Snapdragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Yakima County, WA?
Yakima County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 3.
Your Yakima County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Yakima County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.