In Washington, the average last spring frost is Apr 3 and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, a growing season of about 219 days (zone 7b). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 20 and move them outside from Apr 17. Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Washington at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Apr 3 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 8 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 219 days
- Hardiness zone
- 7b (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Natl Arboretum DC, MD; Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD; and Oxon Hill, MD, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Washington this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 23
What to plant in Washington this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 20
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 20
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 20
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 20
- Start kale indoors: Feb 27
- Start broccoli indoors: Feb 27
- Start cabbage indoors: Feb 27
Coming up in early March: start basil indoors (Mar 6), direct sow spinach (Mar 13), direct sow peas (Mar 13) and direct sow radishes (Mar 13).
What to plant in Washington this month (March)
- Start basil indoors: Mar 6
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 13
- Direct sow peas: Mar 13
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 13
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 20
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 20
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 20
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 20
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 20
- Direct sow beets: Mar 27
- Transplant kale: Mar 27
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 27
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 27
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 27
Coming up in early April: transplant onions (Apr 3), transplant cucumbers (Apr 10), transplant zucchini (Apr 10), transplant winter squash (Apr 10) and direct sow beans (Apr 10).
What to plant in Washington this month (April)
- Transplant onions: Apr 3
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 10
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 10
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 10
- Direct sow beans: Apr 10
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 17
- Transplant peppers: Apr 17
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 17
- Transplant basil: Apr 17
What to plant in Washington this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Washington in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Washington this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Washington in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Washington this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Washington in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Washington this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 30
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 30
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 13).
What to plant in Washington this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 13
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 20
Coming up in early October: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Oct 4).
What to plant in Washington this month (October)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Oct 4
What to plant in Washington this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 15 to Nov 22
What to plant in Washington this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Washington in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 23.
Washington planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 | Transplant Apr 17 | From Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Feb 20 | Transplant Apr 17 | From Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Transplant Apr 17 | From Jul 1 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | Transplant Apr 17 | From May 29 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 23 | Transplant Apr 3 | From Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Transplant Mar 20Fall: direct sow Sep 13 | From Apr 29Fall: from Oct 23 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 13Fall: direct sow Sep 20 | From Apr 22Fall: from Oct 30 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 13Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 12Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 13Fall: direct sow Oct 4 | From Apr 7Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 20 | From May 29 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 27 | From May 21 |
| Kale | Feb 27 | Transplant Mar 27Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 21Fall: from Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 | Transplant Mar 27 | From May 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 | Transplant Mar 27 | From Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 | Transplant Apr 10 | From Jun 4 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Transplant Apr 10 | From May 30 |
| Winter squash | Mar 20 | Transplant Apr 10 | From Jul 9 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 10 | From Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 27 | From Jun 15 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 15 to Nov 22 | Around Jun 26 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Washington's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Washington
Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22. That is one to two weeks after Washington's average first fall frost of Nov 8, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 26 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Washington:
- Peas: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 29
- Kale: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 24
- Lettuce: sow Sep 13, ready from about Oct 23
- Spinach: sow Sep 20, ready from about Oct 30
- Radishes: sow Oct 4, ready from about Oct 29
Nearby planting calendars
Washington planting questions
When is the last frost in Washington?
The average last spring frost in Washington is Apr 3, and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Washington?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 20, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 17, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Washington in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 15 to Nov 22. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 30, lettuce around Sep 13, spinach around Sep 20 and radishes around Oct 4.