Frost Dates for Washington, DC 20245
Washington has 55 ZIP codes. The Washington, DC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 26 · 200 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
Long season: 200 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 27–April 20 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 9 (28 days).
Frost probability for 20245
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 9 | March 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 26 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NATL ARBORETUM DC (6.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 200-day season in Washington
In Washington (200 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 19. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 263 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 12. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 12. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 12. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 305 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 256 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 23. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 2. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 12. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 23. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 16. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 200 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 16. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 179 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 23. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 9. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 16. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 16. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Washington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 15), Lavender (Jan 15), Onion (Jan 15), Rosemary (Jan 15), Celery (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 12), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 12), Cabbage (Feb 12), Lettuce (Feb 12), Sage (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 12), Beets (Feb 12), Dill (Feb 12), Peas (Feb 12), Radish (Feb 12), Spinach (Feb 12), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 5), Tomato (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Corn (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 12), Nasturtiums (Mar 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 12), Turnip (Mar 12), Carrots (Mar 19), Potatoes (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 5). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 9), Beans (Apr 16), Pole Beans (Apr 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 9), Lavender (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Mint (Apr 9), +25 more. Last frost around April 9. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Washington, DC (ZIP 20245)?
The median last spring frost date for Washington, DC (ZIP code 20245) is around April 9. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 27; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Washington, DC?
The median first fall frost date for Washington, DC is around October 26. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Washington, DC?
The frost-free growing season in Washington is about 200 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Washington (200 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Washington, DC?
Washington, DC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Washington, DC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Washington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Washington?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Washington?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Washington?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Washington, DC 20024 (1.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Washington, DC 20001 (1.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Washington, DC 20008 (3 mi)
- Frost dates for Washington, DC 20002 (3.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Arlington, VA 22204 (3.7 mi)
- When to plant in Washington, DC: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in DC
- Look up another ZIP