Seattle flower growing advice for urban gardeners

I grow flowers on about 450 square feet in West Seattle, so everything on this page has been tested in a small, rainy, urban yard by someone who has made most of my flower screw ups.

This is where I keep what I've learned about growing flowers in Seattle: when to plant ranunculus corms, how to get dahlias through a wet spring, and which cool-hardy annuals like poppies and snapdragons can handle a Pacific Northwest winter.

The posts below are the real-time version, failures included. If you'd rather start with the full guide, check out how to grow ranunculus in Seattle.

Growing Flowers in Seattle

Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Turd in the Ranunculus

Low row cover protects ranunculus from cold, wind, and—unexpectedly—poop.

Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Turd in the Ranunculus

Low row cover protects ranunculus from cold, wind, and—unexpectedly—poop.

How to grow ranunculus in Seattle

How to grow ranunculus in Seattle

How to grow ranunculus in Seattle, from presprouting corms to planting out and protecting them through winter.

How to grow ranunculus in Seattle

How to grow ranunculus in Seattle, from presprouting corms to planting out and protecting them through winter.

A handful of Icelandic poppies

Planting Poppies & Snapdragons in a Seattle Winter

I used to swear by leaves and frost cloth to protect poppies and snapdragons through a Seattle winter. Turns out I didn't need either.

Planting Poppies & Snapdragons in a Seattle Winter

I used to swear by leaves and frost cloth to protect poppies and snapdragons through a Seattle winter. Turns out I didn't need either.

Seattle spring bouquet

I killed so many flowers last year (and how I plan to avoid it this year)

I killed a lot of flowers last year. Here's what went wrong and what I'm changing so my Seattle garden does better this year.

I killed so many flowers last year (and how I plan to avoid it this year)

I killed a lot of flowers last year. Here's what went wrong and what I'm changing so my Seattle garden does better this year.

How to plant daffodils

How to plant daffodil bulbs in Seattle, with timing and depth for spring blooms.

How to plant daffodils

How to plant daffodil bulbs in Seattle, with timing and depth for spring blooms.

Why (and how) I am growing hundreds of daffodils next season

Why I'm growing hundreds of daffodils next season, and how I plan to do it in a small Seattle yard.

Why (and how) I am growing hundreds of daffodils next season

Why I'm growing hundreds of daffodils next season, and how I plan to do it in a small Seattle yard.

Quick answers about growing flowers in Seattle

  • When should I plant dahlias in Seattle?

    Late March, historically our last frost, through mid-May. I usually plant in the first two weeks of April and have blooms by mid to late July.

    Dahlia planting advice 

  • Can I plant poppies and snapdragons in winter in Seattle?

    Yes, cool-hardy annuals like poppies and snapdragons do well planted in November or December or even January.

    Winter planting advice for poppies and snapdragons 

  • Do I need a big yard to grow cut flowers?

    No. My grow space for my flower farm is about 450 square feet of raised beds, and I grow hundreds of flowers a year on it.

    About West Seattle Flower Farm