FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Washington and as late as Apr 16 in Chevy Chase.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
WashingtonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Downtown DCFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Columbia HeightsFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Mount PleasantFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Northwest OneFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Foggy BottomFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Mount Vernon TriangleFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
H Street NEFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Pleasant PlainsFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
NoMaFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
PetworthFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Capitol RiverfrontJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Park ViewFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Golden TriangleJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
ShawFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
BrightwoodFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Adams MorganFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Kennedy StreetFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Southwest WaterfrontJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Barracks RowFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Union MarketFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
AnacostiaJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Colorado TriangleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Brentwood VillageFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
The WharfJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Van NessFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Benning RoadFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
HillcrestFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12

Showing the 30 most populous of 35 District of Columbia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all District of Columbia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 31 in Washington and as late as Apr 16 in Chevy Chase.

When is the last frost in District of Columbia?

The average last spring frost in District of Columbia ranges from March 24 in Washington to April 9 in Chevy Chase, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in District of Columbia

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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