Frost dates for 20010Washington, DC
The average last spring frost in Washington is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 12 | Oct 29 · Nov 9 · Nov 27 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20010 is matched to the NOAA station Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD, 7 km away, at 150 ft elevation (40 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD (used) | 150 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Natl Arboretum Dc, MD | 50 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Washington Reagan Ap, VA | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 18 |
| Beltsville, MD | 145 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Washington
- Washington, DC 20542 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20376 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Naval Anacost Annex, DC 20373 · last Mar 24, first Nov 18
- Takoma Park, MD 20913 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Arlington, VA 22209 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Mount Rainier, MD 20712 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Fort Myer, VA 22211 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Silver Spring, MD 20907 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washington, DC?
- For ZIP code 20010, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Washington, DC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20010?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.