Washington, DC planting zone & frost dates
Washington 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 Washington
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.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Washington
- 20001 zone 8a
- 20002 zone 8a
- 20003 zone 8a
- 20005 zone 8a
- 20006 zone 8a
- 20007 zone 7b
- 20008 zone 7b
- 20009 zone 7b
- 20010 zone 7b
- 20011 zone 7b
- 20012 zone 7b
- 20013 zone 8a
- 20015 zone 7b
- 20016 zone 7b
- 20017 zone 7b
- 20018 zone 7b
- 20019 zone 8a
- 20020 zone 7b
- 20022 zone 8a
- 20024 zone 8a
- 20026 zone 8a
- 20027 zone 8a
- 20029 zone 8a
- 20030 zone 7b
- 20032 zone 8a
- 20033 zone 8a
- 20035 zone 8a
- 20036 zone 8a
- 20037 zone 8a
- 20038 zone 8a
- 20039 zone 7b
- 20040 zone 7b
- 20042 zone 8a
- 20043 zone 8a
- 20044 zone 8a
- 20045 zone 8a
- 20047 zone 7b
- 20049 zone 8a
- 20050 zone 8a
- 20052 zone 8a
- 20053 zone 8a
- 20055 zone 8a
- 20056 zone 8a
- 20057 zone 7b
- 20058 zone 7b
- 20060 zone 8a
- 20061 zone 8a
- 20062 zone 8a
- 20063 zone 8a
- 20064 zone 7b
- 20065 zone 8a
- 20066 zone 8a
- 20067 zone 8a
- 20068 zone 8a
- 20069 zone 7b
- 20070 zone 7b
- 20071 zone 8a
- 20073 zone 8a
- 20074 zone 8a
- 20075 zone 8a
- 20076 zone 7b
- 20077 zone 8a
- 20078 zone 8a
- 20080 zone 8a
- 20081 zone 8a
- 20082 zone 8a
- 20090 zone 8a
- 20091 zone 8a
- 20201 zone 8a
- 20202 zone 8a
- 20203 zone 8a
- 20204 zone 8a
- 20206 zone 7b
- 20207 zone 7b
- 20208 zone 8a
- 20210 zone 8a
- 20211 zone 8a
- 20212 zone 8a
- 20213 zone 8a
- 20214 zone 8a
- 20215 zone 8a
- 20216 zone 8a
- 20217 zone 8a
- 20218 zone 8a
- 20219 zone 8a
- 20220 zone 8a
- 20221 zone 8a
- 20222 zone 8a
- 20223 zone 8a
- 20224 zone 8a
- 20226 zone 8a
- 20227 zone 8a
- 20228 zone 8a
- 20229 zone 8a
- 20230 zone 8a
- 20232 zone 7b
- 20233 zone 7b
- 20235 zone 7b
- 20237 zone 8a
- 20238 zone 8a
- 20239 zone 8a
- 20240 zone 8a
- 20241 zone 8a
- 20242 zone 8a
- 20244 zone 8a
- 20245 zone 8a
- 20250 zone 8a
- 20251 zone 8a
- 20252 zone 8a
- 20254 zone 8a
- 20260 zone 8a
- 20261 zone 8a
- 20262 zone 8a
- 20265 zone 8a
- 20266 zone 8a
- 20268 zone 8a
- 20270 zone 8a
- 20277 zone 8a
- 20289 zone 8a
- 20299 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Golden Triangle zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Downtown DC zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Foggy Bottom zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- The Wharf zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Mount Vernon Triangle zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Shaw zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Southwest Waterfront zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Northwest One zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
All cities in District of Columbia → · Other zone 8a cities →
Questions
What growing zone is Washington, DC?
Washington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 7b.
When is the last frost in Washington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Washington is March 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Washington?
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), 5.2 km (3.2 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.