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District of Columbia Planting Guide & Growing Season

District of Columbia is in USDA hardiness zone with a growing season of 200 days. The average last spring frost is Apr 1 - Apr 15 and the average first fall frost is Oct 15 - Nov 1. Climate data based on Washington.

USDA Zone Hardiness zone
Last Frost Apr 1 - Apr 15 Average spring
First Frost Oct 15 - Nov 1 Average fall
Growing Season 200 days Moderate season

Growing Conditions in District of Columbia

USDA Hardiness Zone
Average Last FrostApr 1 - Apr 15
Average First FrostOct 15 - Nov 1
Growing Season Length200 days
Climate StationWashington
NOAA GridLWX

How District of Columbia Compares

Compare District of Columbia's growing conditions with states that have similar climates.

StateUSDA ZoneLast FrostFirst FrostSeason (days)
District of Columbia (DC) Apr 1 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Nov 1200
Alabama (AL) Mar 1 - Apr 1Oct 25 - Nov 15220
Alaska (AK) May 15 - Jun 15Aug 15 - Sep 15105
Arizona (AZ) Feb 1 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Dec 15270
Arkansas (AR) Mar 15 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Nov 1210
California (CA) Jan 15 - Apr 15Oct 15 - Dec 31290

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening in District of Columbia

When should I start seeds indoors in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, the average last frost date is Apr 1 - Apr 15. Start most seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before this date. The USDA hardiness zone for District of Columbia is undefined, with a growing season of approximately 200 days.

What USDA hardiness zone is District of Columbia?

District of Columbia falls in USDA hardiness zones undefined. This affects which perennial plants will survive winter and influences optimal planting times.

When is the first frost in District of Columbia?

The average first frost date in District of Columbia is Oct 15 - Nov 1. Plan to harvest cold-sensitive crops before this date or protect them with row covers.

How long is the growing season in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia has an average growing season of 200 days, from the last frost (Apr 1 - Apr 15) to first frost (Oct 15 - Nov 1). This moderate season works well for most common vegetables.

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