Nov/Dec 2024 Planting Guide – Zone 7/8

(Swedish Flower chickens enjoying the old pumpkins in the orchard)

According to the USDA Zone map, the Willamette Valley is considered Zone 8, or more specifically 8b (due to average low temps). Here where I live though, our last frost dates are usually around Mother’s Day (which is more like zone 7!). Warm summer crops need soil temps in the 60’s which we are hard pressed to have until late May/early June really. 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 more what we are). I swear no site can agree on anything, and then throw in microclimates haha. I also like to follow the Oregon State University Extension Monthly Garden Calendar for ideas as well.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac best days to plant according to moon phase. 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).
(if you miss the “best days”, anytime during that moon phase will be okay),

**Crop/Flower**	*Best Moon Phase Dates to Plant*	*Best Days to plant from the* *Old Farmer’s Almanac*
Winter Cover Crops	Nov. 2-14	Nov. 1-2, 10-11
Spring Bulbs (not as ideal)	Nov. 16-30	Nov. 18-19, 28-29
Garlic (not as ideal)	Nov. 16-30	Nov. 18-19, 28-29
Trees & Shrubs	Nov. 16-20, Dec. 16-29	Nov. 18-19, 28-29, Dec. 25-27