The Western Washington Guide
A new seasonal edition arrives every three months.
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A new seasonal edition arrives every three months. 〰️
Inside the Fall Guide
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![A woman kneeling in a field of low plants, wearing a beige jacket and blue jeans, holding a red device with a handle. The field has green and purple vegetation with trees in the background under a cloudy sky.]()
Harvest
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![A scenic autumn landscape with tall yellow trees against a clear blue sky, a green-roofed building partially visible, and a roadside sign indicating 'Winthrop North Village' with a hilly background.]()
Explore
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![A ceramic bowl with apples and pears sits on a wooden table with a yellow flower arrangement on the side.]()
Seasonal Living
A seasonal field guide to a few good things to harvest, cook, and share in Western Washington, starting close to home on Seattle’s Eastside.
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Apples: Late varieties such as Fuji, Braeburn, and other regional favorites
Pears: Locally grown pears for tasting, baking, or a simple dessert
Quince: A fragrant specialty fruit to cook into preserves or poach
Persimmons & medlars: Specialty late-fall fruits at select orchards; availability extends later into fall
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Winter Squash: Delicata, kabocha, acorn, butternut, spaghetti and Hubbard
Sugar Pie Pumpkins: Small, sweet pumpkins made for roasting and baking
Corn: A final taste of summer during the first weeks of September
Heirloom Tomatoes: Last call before the cool weather settles in -
Tuscan Kale: Dark, sturdy greens that thrive in cool weather
Swiss Chard: Colorful stems and tender leaves
Brussels Sprouts: Often sweeter after the first cold nights
Cauliflower: Abundant at markets through October
Hardy Greens: Kale, collards and other cold-weather leaves that continue into November -
Blackberries: The last wild and cultivated berries of the season
Cranberries: Fresh from the coastal bogs of Grayland and Long Beach
Concord Grapes: Deeply fragrant and available for only a short stretch in October -
Carrots: Sweetened by the cooler weather
Parsnips: Earthy, pale and perfect for roasting
Rutabagas: A sturdy root vegetable for soups, mashes and winter meals
Potatoes: Newly dug and ready for comforting fall cooking
Celeriac: Knobby, mild and especially good in purées and soups
Leeks: A softer, sweeter member of the onion family -
Chanterelles: Beginning after the first good rains and peaking in October
Hazelnuts: Fresh Oregon filberts arriving at markets in mid-fall
Harvest, Month by Month
September
Corn
Heirloom tomatoes
Plums and Italian prunes
Gravenstein and Gala apples
Pears
Late-season blackberries
Green beans
Peppers
The first chanterelles
October
Delicata, kabocha, acorn and butternut squash
Honeycrisp, Jonagold and Braeburn apples
Fresh cranberries
Brussels sprouts
Leeks
Cauliflower
Concord grapes
Quince
Peak-season chanterelles
Fresh Oregon hazelnuts
November
Kale and hardy greens
Celeriac
Parsnips
Rutabagas
Bosc and Comice pears
The final winter squash
Cranberries through Thanksgiving
Fresh hazelnuts
Early citrus arriving from Oregon and California
The garden slows down, but fall is still planting season.
Plant garlic in October or early November for a summer harvest.
Plant spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocus before the ground gets soggy.
Mulch the beds with fallen leaves. It protects the soil through winter rains.
Bring in tender pots and drain the hoses before the first freeze.
Three PNW Spots I Love to Visit in Fall
A high-desert getaway near Bend with cozy cabins, mountain views, and plenty to do outside.
Where: Powell Butte, about 30 minutes from Bend.
Stay: Family-friendly cabins, guestrooms, or adults-only bungalows. Some have private hot tubs.
Do: Swim, walk the trails, book a horseback ride, or spend an afternoon at the spa.
Price: Depends on dates and accommodation; add a 15% resort fee and 10% lodging taxes.
Fall note: Outdoor pools are seasonal, but indoor pools and outdoor hot tubs stay open year-round.
Powell Butte, Oregon
A little Western town in the Methow Valley for fall walks, browsing shops, and a cozy weekend away.
Where: The Methow Valley in north-central Washington.
The feel: Western storefronts, mountain scenery, and a small downtown to wander.
Do: Browse the shops, visit the Shafer Museum, and explore nearby hiking and biking trails.
Easy outing: Walk the Sa Teekh Wa Trail along the river.
Price: Flexible, you can choose lodging and meals to fit your budget. We like staying at River’s Edge Resort
Fall note: Check your route before leaving. The North Cascades Highway closes seasonally for winter.
Western Charm in the Methow Valley
Olympic National ParkA historic lakeside lodge surrounded by forest, with quiet views and trails close by.
Where: Olympic National Park, about 18 miles west of Port Angeles.
Stay: Historic lodge rooms, cabins, and motel-style rooms.
Amenities: A dining room, lounge, coffee bar, gift shop, and boat rentals.
Do: Walk the lakeshore and hike to Marymere Falls, about 1.8 miles round trip.
Price: Varies by room and dates; watch for specials in emails.
Fall note: Check lodging, dining, and boat-rental schedules when planning; services vary seasonally.
Welcome to the big dark
Clocks fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Sunset jumps to about 4:50 p.m. the next day, and slides to around 4:20 by the end of the month.
A few ways to lean into the big dark instead of fighting it:
Get outside at midday
A lunchtime walk catches the best light of a short day.
Light the evenings on purpose
Candles at dinner, string lights on the porch, a lamp in the window.
Plan one thing to look forward to each week
A market trip, a hatchery visit, dinner with friends.