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

Lush ranunculus foliage growing under a white low row-cover tunnel

Don’t let Seattle winters scare you away from planting ranunculus (January update)

It's not too late to plant ranunculus in Seattle. Here's what's thriving in my January garden and why I plant in successions.

Don’t let Seattle winters scare you away from planting ranunculus (January update)

It's not too late to plant ranunculus in Seattle. Here's what's thriving in my January garden and why I plant in successions.

Bucket of ranunculus

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.

A handful of ranunculus.

How to Presprout and Plant Ranunculus Corms in Seattle

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

How to Presprout and Plant Ranunculus Corms 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.

Replete daffodils lying on a table

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs in Seattle's Gray, Wet Fall

Daffodils are basically the easiest thing you can plant in Seattle. Here's when and how to do it.

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs in Seattle's Gray, Wet Fall

Daffodils are basically the easiest thing you can plant in Seattle. Here's when and how to do it.

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