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Washington DC, District of Columbia · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Washington DC

This month's sowing list for Washington DC, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

4 vegetables to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 18, and frost is unlikely after about April 29.

Quick, easy wins this month: radish, arugula and spinach.

Sow or plant in Washington DC in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

  • Arugula
  • Radish
  • Spinach

Transplant

  • Garlic

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: arugula, radish and spinach.

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Bush beans
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Cucumber
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Pole beans
  • Radish
  • Runner beans
  • Rutabaga
  • Scallions
  • Strawberry
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomato
  • Turnip
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Washington DC

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: March to June.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: March to May.

Best time to start: March to April.

Pick: June to September and November.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: May to July.

First pick about 30 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: March to May and August to September.

Best time to start: March to May and August to September.

Pick: May to June and October to January.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: March to May and July to September.

Best time to start: March to May and August.

Pick: June to January.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: January to March.

Transplant: March to May.

Best time to start: March to May.

Pick: July to August.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: March to May.

Best time to start: March to May.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: April to June.

Direct sow: May to July.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: April to August.

Direct sow: May to August.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: June to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Washington DC

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
BasilTSSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPPabout 16 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BroccoliTPPTPPabout 13 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPabout 19 weeks
Bush beansSSSSabout 7 weeks
CabbageTPPPTPPabout 13 weeks
CantaloupeSSSabout 9 weeks
CarrotSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTTPabout 21 weeks
CeleryTTPabout 20 weeks
ChivesTTSSSTSSabout 8 weeks
CilantroSSabout 6 weeks
CucumberTSSSSabout 6 weeks
DillSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTTPPPabout 17 weeks
Fava beansSSSabout 12 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 30 weeks
Hot pepperTTPPPabout 18 weeks
KaleTSSSTSSabout 7 weeks
LeekTTPPPabout 20 weeks
LettuceSSSSSabout 7 weeks
OkraSSabout 6 weeks
OnionTTPPPabout 20 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSTSSabout 7 weeks
PeasSSSSabout 10 weeks
Pole beansSSSSabout 8 weeks
PotatoPPPabout 10 weeks
RadishSSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSabout 9 weeks
RutabagaSSSSabout 10 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
SpinachSSSSSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPPabout 14 weeks
Sweet cornTSSSPabout 9 weeks
Sweet potatoPPabout 12 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
TomatoTTPPPabout 16 weeks
TurnipSSSSabout 7 weeks
WatermelonPSSabout 10 weeks
Winter squashTSSSabout 13 weeks
ZucchiniTSSSSabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: celeriac.

Choose a heat-tolerant variety of: fava beans and rutabaga.

Washington DC season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, bush beans, cantaloupe, carrot, celeriac, celery, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, lettuce, pole beans, potato, radish, rutabaga, scallions, strawberry, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celeriac, celery, cilantro, dill, fava beans, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, peas, potato, rutabaga, spinach, strawberry and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, dill, kale, leek, lettuce, okra, radish, runner beans, rutabaga and turnip.

Last chance for: basil, bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, okra, pole beans, radish, runner beans, rutabaga, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: cilantro, garlic, peas and spinach.

Last chance for: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, chives, cilantro, dill, garlic, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, radish, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

Winter December to February

Time to start: broccoli, cabbage, celeriac, celery, chives, fava beans, kale, leek, onion, parsley, peas and spinach.

Last chance for: celeriac and celery.

Frost in Washington DC

Last frost, most years
around April 18
Frost is unlikely after
about April 29
First frost, most years
around November 2
Frost-free days in a year
about 198

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Washington DC

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: parsnip.

Questions about planting in Washington DC

What can I plant now in Washington DC?

In October, 4 vegetables can be sown or planted in Washington DC, including arugula, garlic, radish and spinach. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Washington DC?

In Washington DC, sow tomatoes indoors from March to June and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is from May to June. Picking runs from July to October.

When should I plant potatoes in Washington DC?

In Washington DC, plant potatoes from March to May. The best time to start is from March to April. Picking runs from June to September and in November.

When should I plant garlic in Washington DC?

In Washington DC, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from May to July.

When is the last frost in Washington DC?

In most years the last frost in Washington DC comes around April 18. Frost is unlikely after about April 29, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around November 2.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Washington DC?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), bok choy (about 4 weeks), arugula (about 5 weeks), scallions (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), cilantro (about 6 weeks), cucumber (about 6 weeks) and Swiss chard (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in New York · What to plant now in Boston · What to plant now in Chicago · What to plant now in Cleveland · What to plant now in Philadelphia · What to plant now in Minneapolis · What to plant now in Detroit · What to plant now in Charlotte · What to plant now in Nashville · What to plant now in St. Louis · What to plant now in Kansas City · What to plant now in Salt Lake City · What to plant now in Sacramento · What to plant now in Atlanta · What to plant now in Dallas · What to plant now in Houston · What to plant now in Austin · What to plant now in Denver · What to plant now in Phoenix · What to plant now in Seattle · What to plant now in Portland · What to plant now in Los Angeles · What to plant now in San Diego

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Washington DC. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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