Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Washington, DC
Plan your garden around Washington, DC's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
March 24
Safe Apr 6
Typical Mar 24
Risky Mar 7
First Fall Frost
November 18
Safe Nov 5
Typical Nov 18
Risky Dec 6
Growing Season
241 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, 5.2 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 7 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 7 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 23 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Oct 7 – Oct 14 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Sep 16 – Sep 23 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Sep 9 – Sep 16 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 9 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 23 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Oct 7 – Oct 21 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 23 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 4 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 7 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Washington, DC?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US station, the last spring frost in Washington typically falls around March 24. A cautious gardener might wait until April 6 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 7 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Washington, DC in fall?
The first fall frost in Washington typically arrives around November 18. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 5; in milder years it can hold off until December 6.
How long is the growing season in Washington, DC?
Washington's average frost-free growing season is about 241 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 24) to the typical first fall frost (November 18).
What USDA hardiness zone is Washington, DC in?
Washington, DC is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.