Last frost date in Washington, DC
The average last frost in Washington is March 29. By April 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 8, which leaves 224 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 26 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 11
- Average first frost
- Nov 8
- Frost-free season
- 224 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 17
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2246°
- FriOct 2339°
- SatOct 2440°
- SunOct 2542°
- MonOct 2647°
- TueOct 2749°
- WedOct 2849°
Planting calendar for Washington
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across District of Columbia.
TomatoesApr 5–Apr 19
PumpkinsApr 12–Apr 26
SunflowersMar 29–Apr 19
CucumbersApr 12–Apr 19
CornApr 5–Apr 19
Sweet potatoesApr 19–May 3
WatermelonApr 12–Apr 26
Green beansApr 5–Apr 26
ZucchiniApr 5–Apr 19
OkraApr 19–May 3
PeppersApr 12–Apr 26
BasilApr 5–Apr 19
Butternut squashApr 5–Apr 19
CantaloupeApr 12–Apr 26
EggplantApr 12–Apr 26
PotatoesMar 1–Mar 15
OnionsFeb 15–Mar 8
CarrotsMar 8–Apr 12
LettuceMar 15–Apr 5
BroccoliMar 1–Mar 15
BeetsMar 1–Apr 12
PeasFeb 15–Mar 1
CabbageMar 1–Mar 15
RadishesFeb 22–Apr 5
Brussels sproutsMar 15–Mar 29
SpinachFeb 15–Mar 8
CilantroMar 15–Apr 5
KaleMar 1–Mar 15
Collard greensMar 1–Mar 15
TurnipsMar 1–Mar 15
DillMar 29–Apr 12
CeleryApr 5–Apr 12
CauliflowerMar 15–Mar 29
LeeksMar 15–Mar 29
Swiss chardMar 15–Apr 12
ParsleyMar 15–Apr 5
Tulip bulbsOct 25–Nov 29
GarlicOct 18–Nov 22
Daffodil bulbsOct 11–Nov 22
StrawberriesMar 1–Mar 15
AsparagusMar 1–Mar 15Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 15 | Mar 29 | Apr 11 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 | Nov 23 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 2 | Mar 17 | Mar 31 | Nov 6 | Nov 20 | Dec 7 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Natl Arboretum Dc (USC00186350) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Washington at 50 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Washington, DC?
The average last frost date in Washington is March 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 11.
When is the first frost in Washington?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 8. One year in ten it arrives before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Washington?
About 224 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Washington?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 5 to April 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.