What to plant this week in Washington, DC
With last frost officially behind us on March 13, Washington DC gardeners are in the thick of spring planting week. The mild 8a climate allows you to sow warm-season giants like okra and cucumbers right now while enjoying early harvests of basil and beans that survived the chill.
The next 7 days
Washington, DCGrowing in Washington right now
- DC's clay-heavy soil tends to stay wet longer; amend with compost before sowing bush beans or zucchini to ensure good drainage.
- Be mindful of afternoon thunderstorms common in the DC metro during April and May when planting squash or corn.
- The urban heat island effect around the city center means your microclimates may warm up a few days earlier than rural Prince George's County.
- Harvest garlic now while the soil is still cool to prevent bulbs from splitting before winter dormancy.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- 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 every two weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around squash to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on young basil and nasturtium leaves as temperatures climb into the 60s.
- Monitor squash vine borers on newly transplanted zucchini and yellow summer squash, especially near tree lines where they overwinter.
- Keep an eye out for slugs on low-growing malabar spinach and nasturtiums during damp, cloudy spells.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and fungal risks.
Harvest leafy greens like malabar spinach and nasturtiums young and tender for the best flavor.
Washington gardening questions
3Can I plant okra now in DC even though it loves heat?
Yes, the current warmth allows okra to establish roots immediately since our last frost date is safely past March 13. Start seeds directly in the ground and water deeply to settle them before any rain hits.
When should I stop harvesting my garlic crop?
In Zone 8a like DC, you can begin pulling garlic once about half the foliage has turned brown and yellow naturally. Wait too long after the first frost date in late November, however, and the bulbs may split or rot in the ground.
My zucchini plants look stunted despite regular watering; what's wrong?
DC clay soil often compacts under heavy rain, causing roots to struggle for oxygen before they can reach moisture. Loosen the top two inches of earth around the base and mix in compost to improve drainage and encourage deeper root growth.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Washington garden in SproutGuide →