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This north Spokane location near Five Mile Prairie and the Wandermere area sits in USDA Zone 7a, reflecting the relatively mild winter lows recorded under the 2023 map update. Even so, the local growing season is shorter than the zone alone suggests ā expect roughly 145ā155 frost-free days, with the last spring frost typically around early May and the first fall frost near October 1. Cold air drainage off the prairie and clear-sky radiational cooling can produce late spring or early fall frosts a week or two outside these averages, so harden off warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, basil) and wait until mid- to late May to transplant. Summers are warm and dry with low humidity, so deep, infrequent watering and mulching pay off; winters bring reliable snow cover that helps insulate perennials, garlic, and fall-planted bulbs.
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What to plant
4 crops- Sugar Snap PeasvegetableSunFull sun (6+ hours); tolerates light afternoon shade in warmer weatherSpacing2 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart; or 1 inch apart along a trellisDays to maturity65
- Direct sow outdoorsMon, Mar 24, 2025
- First harvestWed, May 28, 2025
- Fall sowingWed, Jul 23, 2025
Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked, typically late March in Spokane (around 4-6 weeks before last frost). Peas germinate in soil as cool as 40Ā°F and dislike transplanting, so skip indoor starts. Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Install a 5-6 ft trellis at planting timeāSugar Snap is a tall vining variety. Inoculate seeds with pea/bean rhizobia for better yields. For a fall crop, sow in mid-to-late July; Spokane's hot, dry summers make fall peas tricky, so mulch heavily and water consistently. Harvest pods when plump but before peas inside fully swell for best sweetness.
ā Peas decline rapidly once temperatures consistently exceed 80Ā°F, which is common in Spokane by late Juneāplant early to beat the heat. Avoid overhead watering once flowering to reduce powdery mildew, a common late-season issue in the Inland Northwest.
- Early Girl TomatoesvegetableSunFull sun (6-8+ hours daily)Spacing24-36 inches apart, rows 36-48 inchesDays to maturity57
- Start seeds indoorsMon, Mar 24, 2025
- Transplant outdoorsMon, May 19, 2025
- First harvestTue, Jul 15, 2025
Start seeds indoors around late March under grow lights. Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors around mid-to-late May once nighttime temps are reliably above 50Ā°FāSpokane can have late frosts and cool nights, so wait until soil reaches 60Ā°F. Use black plastic mulch or red plastic to warm soil and boost early production. Cage or stake at planting; Early Girl is an indeterminate variety that will keep producing until frost. Water deeply and consistently to prevent blossom end rot, and side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer when first fruits set. With ~57 days to maturity, expect ripe fruit by mid-July through September.
ā Do NOT transplant before mid-May in Spokaneālate frosts through May 5 (and occasionally later) will kill or stunt plants. Protect with row cover or wall-o-water if cold snaps threaten. Watch for early blight in cool, wet springs.
- EggplantvegetableSunFull sun (6-8+ hours daily)Spacing18-24 inches apart, rows 30-36 inches apartDays to maturity75
- Start seeds indoorsMon, Mar 10, 2025
- Transplant outdoorsMon, May 19, 2025
- First harvestSat, Aug 2, 2025
Eggplant is a heat-loving crop that needs a long, warm season - challenging but doable in Spokane (zone 7a). Start seeds indoors around early March under grow lights with bottom heat (75-85Ā°F for germination). Transplant outdoors only after May 15-20 when soil temps reach at least 65Ā°F and nights stay above 50Ā°F. Use black plastic mulch or landscape fabric to warm soil, and consider row covers or wall-o-waters early on to boost heat. Choose short-season varieties like 'Diamond,' 'Hansel,' 'Fairy Tale,' or 'Patio Baby' (60-70 days) for best success. Harden off transplants for 7-10 days. Feed with balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress when flowering. Water consistently to prevent bitter fruit.
ā Spokane's cool nights and short growing season (about 145 frost-free days) make eggplant marginal - avoid long-season varieties (80+ days). Do not transplant too early; cold soil stunts plants for the entire season. Watch for flea beetles, which can devastate young plants - use row covers until flowering. Frost will kill plants, so harvest all fruit before late September.
- CucumbersvegetableSunFull sun (6-8+ hours daily)Spacing12 inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart; 2-3 plants per hill, hills 4-5 feet apartDays to maturity55
- Start seeds indoorsMon, Apr 14, 2025
- Transplant outdoorsMon, May 19, 2025
- Direct sow outdoorsMon, May 19, 2025
- First harvestSun, Jul 13, 2025
In Spokane (zone 7a), wait until soil reaches 70Ā°F before sowing or transplantingāusually mid-to-late May. Start seeds indoors in late April in peat or paper pots since cucumbers dislike root disturbance, then transplant around May 20. For direct sowing, plant after May 20 once nights are reliably above 50Ā°F. Use black plastic mulch or row covers early in the season to warm soil and protect from cool spring nights. Trellising saves space, improves airflow, and produces straighter fruit. With ~150 frost-free days, you can succession sow a second crop in early July for fall harvest. Keep evenly watered (1-2 inches/week)āSpokane's dry summers make consistent irrigation critical to prevent bitter fruit.
ā Do not plant outdoors before mid-May; cucumbers are extremely frost-sensitive and stunt in cold soil. Remove row covers once flowering begins so pollinators can access blooms. Watch for cucumber beetles, which can transmit bacterial wilt.