Southwest Waterfront, DC planting zone & frost dates
Southwest Waterfront is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 24 and the first fall frost around November 18, for a growing season of about 241 days.
Planting calendar for Southwest Waterfront
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 23 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 18).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 7 | Mar 24 | Apr 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 6 | Nov 18 | Nov 5 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 5. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 12.
Nearby cities
- The Wharf zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Downtown DC zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Capitol Riverfront zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Barracks Row zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Mount Vernon Triangle zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Washington zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Northwest One zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- NoMa zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
All cities in District of Columbia → · Other zone 8a cities →
Questions
What growing zone is Southwest Waterfront, DC?
Southwest Waterfront is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Southwest Waterfront?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Southwest Waterfront is March 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Southwest Waterfront?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 31 – Apr 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Washington Reagan Ap, VA (USW00013743), 3.7 km (2.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 3 m, based on 27 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.