What to plant this week in Washington, DC
With temperatures hovering just above 10°F, Washington DC gardeners are right on the cusp of spring action as the average last frost date approaches March 13. This week marks a critical window to sow heat-loving seeds like Bush Beans and Zucchini while simultaneously harvesting your first crops of Basil and Garlic scapes.
The next 7 days
Washington, DCGrowing in Washington right now
- Protect newly sown Okra and Summer Squash from lingering late frosts common in DC's urban valley by covering seedlings with row covers during overnight dips below 40°F.
- Take advantage of the city's heavy clay soil tendencies by adding compost before planting Cucumber or Watermelon to ensure better drainage and root penetration.
- Monitor moisture levels carefully as DC's spring rainfall is often erratic; water early in the day to prevent fungal issues on your growing Basil and Nasturtiums.
Sow this week
7 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
- Apply a layer of organic mulch around young squash and melons to keep soil cool and retain moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil and borage regularly to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on the tender stems of newly transplanted or sown French Marigolds and Summer Savory as temperatures warm.
- Inspect the underside of leaves on your Harvest-ready Beans and Peas for early signs of spider mites, which thrive in DC's fluctuating spring humidity.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal issues on leafy greens.
Plant garlic now if you missed the fall window, as it is listed for harvest soon, indicating late planting opportunities remain viable.
Washington gardening questions
3Can I start planting my Bush Beans and Zucchini indoors now?
Yes, you can sow these seeds directly into warm soil after the ground thaws fully around mid-March, or start them indoors if your local microclimate stays consistently above 50°F at night.
What should I do with my harvesting Garlic this week?
Harvested Garlic bulbs need immediate curing in a dry, shaded spot out of direct DC sun for about three weeks before storing them in mesh bags or braided bundles.
Are my Watermelon and Cantaloupe plants safe from the upcoming freeze?
Since these are warm-weather crops currently being harvested, pull back any remaining vines if a hard frost is forecasted before Nov 28 to prevent rotting in the clay soil.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Washington garden in SproutGuide →