Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant cucumbers in Washington DC.
Sow between Apr 12 to Jul 12 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Cucumbers dates for a typical Washington DC season.
Direct sow
Apr 12 to Jul 12
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 12" apart.
Harvest
~60 days later
~5 lb per plant over ~5 weeks.
Washington DC spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7b to 7b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Washington DC: watch for
The pests that find cucumbers here.
A middle-length season, about 217 frost-free days, means cucumber, slicing overlaps squash bugs for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Gray shield bugs; leaves wilt and get crispy patches.
Organic fix: Crush the copper egg rows under leaves; diatomaceous earth at the base.
Yellow striped or spotted beetles that spread bacterial wilt.
Organic fix: Row cover until the first female flowers open; neem for heavy runs.
Angular yellow patches bounded by the leaf veins, after wet foliage.
Organic fix: Water in the morning, space for airflow, pull badly infected vines.
White powder coating the leaves late in the season.
Organic fix: Space for airflow, water at the base, spray neem.
Your season math: Washington DC gives cucumbers about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 60 days to a first harvest. That fits about 8 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting cucumbers in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant cucumbers in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow cucumbers between Apr 12 to Jul 12, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 5. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Washington DC?+
Washington DC spans zones 7b–7b, mostly zone 7. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many cucumbers plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.