According to the USDA Zone map, the Willamette Valley is considered Zone 8, or more specifically 8b (due to average low temps). I know for a fact that where we live in the foothills of the Valley (at roughly 400ft elevation) we have enough of a micro-climate to be better off following the Zone 7 guidelines. In fact I would encourage many of you to follow one Zone colder in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest just because our springs have been colder the last couple years (I know April had some weird 90 degree days but we’ve also had snow in April). Warm summer crops need soil temps in the 60’s which we are hard pressed to have until June really (with a last frost date between Mother’s day and May 20th). In the Autumn, we’ve had frosts happen mid October so I use that as the guidelines on the other end of things.
Additionally, I found this website which actually puts us in Zone 6 here (their table stating last frost date as May 15, and first frost date as Oct 15, which is what we are). I swear no site can agree on anything, and then throw in microclimates haha.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac best days to plant according to moon phase
(if you miss the “best days”, anytime during that moon phase will be okay),
here is the planting guide for May in USDA Zone 7:
| Crop/Flower | Best Moon Phase Dates to Plant | Best Days to plant from the Old Farmer’s Almanac |
| Potato | May 1-6 | May 3-4 |
| Carrot | May 1-6, 24-31 | May 3-4, 30-31 |
| Brussel Sprouts (Indoors) | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Melons (Indoors) | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Cucumber (Indoors) | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Celery | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Dill | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Lettuce | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Winter Squash | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Summer Squash | May 8-22 | May 11-12 |
| Sweet Potato | May 24-31 | May 30-31 |
Plant flowering bulbs, belowground crops, biennial and perennial flowers during a waning moon (day after the full moon until day before the new moon). Plant aboveground crops and annual flowering plants during a waxing moon (day after a new moon until the day before a full moon).
Don’t forget to go to the Plant Compatibility Table for companion planting info as well.
The Oak, Ash, & Thorn Homestead 