FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8, then sow outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 19, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
WashingtonFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Downtown DCMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Columbia HeightsMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Mount PleasantMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Northwest OneMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Foggy BottomMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Mount Vernon TriangleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
H Street NEMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Pleasant PlainsMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
NoMaMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
PetworthMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Capitol RiverfrontFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Park ViewMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Golden TriangleFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
ShawMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
BrightwoodMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Adams MorganMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Kennedy StreetMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Southwest WaterfrontFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Barracks RowMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Union MarketMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
AnacostiaFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Colorado TriangleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Brentwood VillageMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
The WharfFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Van NessMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Benning RoadMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
HillcrestMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 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 winter squash in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8, then sow outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 19, 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 winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in District of Columbia

When to plant winter squash in other states

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