Last frost date in Washington, District of Columbia
March 29
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by March 15; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after April 11.
November 8
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 26.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Natl Arboretum Dc (USC00186350), 2.6 miles from Washington, elevation 50 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Mar 15 | Mar 29 | Apr 11 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 26 | Nov 8 | Nov 23 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 224
Planting calendar for Washington
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about November 10 (Washington: November 8).
- CucumbersJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 25 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Black-eyed peasJune 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 15 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 20 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJuly 10 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)July 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJuly 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJuly 25 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- BeetsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- CarrotsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- EndiveAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- GarlicAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- KaleAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- ShallotsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiAug 15 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 15 – Nov 1Now
- SorrelAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceAug 25 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Garden peasSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Onion plants plantsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- ParsleySept 1 – Nov 15Now
- RadishesSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- TurnipsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- SpinachSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion setsOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Asparagus plantsDec 1 – Jan 1Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, horseradish, leeks, parsnips as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about March 30 (Washington: March 29).
- Corn saladJan 15 – Mar 15
- RutabagaFeb 1 – Mar 1
- SpinachFeb 1 – Mar 20
- Garden peasFeb 10 – Mar 20
- GarlicFeb 10 – Mar 10
- Asparagus plantsFeb 15 – Mar 20
- Cabbage plantsFeb 15 – Mar 10
- Chervil and chivesFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Leaf lettuceFeb 15 – Apr 15
- LeeksFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Onion plants plantsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Onion setsFeb 15 – Mar 20
- RadishesFeb 15 – May 1
- ShallotsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Cauliflower plantsFeb 20 – Mar 20
- DandelionFeb 20 – Mar 20
- Onion seedFeb 20 – Mar 15
- PotatoesFeb 20 – Mar 20
- SorrelFeb 20 – Apr 1
- TurnipsFeb 20 – Mar 20
- BeetsMar 1 – June 1
- Broccoli plantsMar 1 – 20
- Brussels sprouts plantsMar 1 – 20
- CarrotsMar 1 – Apr 10
- Collards plantsMar 1 – June 1
- Head lettuce plantsMar 1 – 20
- Horseradish plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- KaleMar 1 – 20
- KohlrabiMar 1 – Apr 1
- Mustard greensMar 1 – Apr 15
- ParsleyMar 1 – Apr 1
- ParsnipsMar 1 – Apr 1
- SalsifyMar 1 – 15
- Swiss chardMar 1 – May 25
- Upland cressMar 1 – Apr 1
- EndiveMar 10 – Apr 10
- Florence fennelMar 10 – Apr 10
- Celery and celeriac plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- Sweet cornMar 25 – May 15
- Snap beansApr 1 – June 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Apr 10 – May 15
- CucumbersApr 10 – May 15
- New Zealand spinachApr 10 – June 1
- OkraApr 10 – June 15
- Summer squashApr 10 – June 1
- TomatoesApr 10 – June 1
- WatermelonApr 10 – May 15
- Black-eyed peasApr 15 – July 1
- Eggplant plantsApr 15 – May 15
- Lima beansApr 15 – June 20
- Peppers plantsApr 15 – June 1
- SoybeansApr 20 – June 30
- Sweet potatoesApr 20 – June 1
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – July 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.