Frost dates for 20388 — Washington Navy Yard, DC
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season239 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Washington Navy Yard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Washington Navy Yard falls between March 7 and April 6, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 6.
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Washington, DC, 1 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 15 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 7 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Washington Navy Yard, DC
Frost dates for 20388 — Washington Navy Yard, DC — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 18, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Washington Navy Yard, DC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Washington Reagan Ap, VA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
ZIP codes in Washington Navy Yard: 20374 20376 20388 20391 20398
Frost dates near Washington Navy Yard
- Naval Anacost Annex Mar 24 · Nov 18
- Washington Mar 29 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Washington Navy Yard, DC?
The median last spring frost in Washington Navy Yard, DC is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Washington Navy Yard, DC?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Washington Navy Yard, DC?
About 239 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Washington Navy Yard, DC?
Washington Navy Yard, DC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.