Which Vegetables Grow Best in the Pacific Northwest?

The Pacific Northwest is often thought to be less than ideal for vegetable gardening. Wet, rainy springs that transition to warm sunny summer are often thought to not be ideal for many vegetables. However, the spring moisture and cloud cover offer ideal early growing conditions for many vegetables.

Greens

Greens include many varieties of lettuce, arugula, chard, mustard greens and many other types of green leafy vegetables suitable for salads or for cooking. The Pacific Northwest has a lot of cloud cover and rain in the spring. Most greens grow best in shade, especially when young and tender when the harsh rays of the sun could scorch and burn them.

By the time summer arrives in the Pacific Northwest, arrives, the spring crop is strong enough to do well in the full sun. Later plantings, however, benefit from partial or full shade planting.

Broccoli

Broccoli grows very well in the Pacific Northwest. Because it does well in partial sun, it grows well in the cloudy Pacific Northwest springs. Broccoli should be about ready to harvest by the time the clouds part for the sunny summer. Broccoli in the Pacific Northwest can sometimes be harvested through Christmas. As you harvest the heads, they grow back, but become progressively smaller.

Leeks

Leeks are a member of the onion family. Although both leeks and onions both grow well in the Pacific Northwest, onions are inexpensive to buy and leeks are very easy to grow in your garden. You can either seed your leeks directly in the spring or sprout them inside for an earlier harvest. Leeks have a mild, earthy flavor. Both the leaves and the tuber are edible, with the leaves being more mild than the root.