Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant lettuce in Washington DC.
Sow between Feb 26 to Apr 12 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 25 to Oct 24. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Lettuce dates for a typical Washington DC season.
Direct sow
Feb 26 to Apr 12
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 6" apart.
Fall round
Aug 25 to Oct 24
Counted back from the ~Nov 8 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~0.4 lb per plant over ~1 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 lettuce here.
A middle-length season, about 217 frost-free days, means lettuce, leaf overlaps aphids for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Clusters tucked into the heart of the head.
Organic fix: Rinse well; insecticidal soap on young plants.
Ragged holes and slime trails, worse after rain.
Organic fix: Iron-phosphate bait; a diatomaceous-earth ring; hand-pick at night.
Seedlings clipped off at the soil line overnight.
Organic fix: Collars around the stems; Bt or diatomaceous earth.
Pale yellow patches boxed in by the leaf veins, with white fuzz underneath.
Organic fix: Give plants room, let them dry between waterings, clear old leaves, and pick resistant varieties.
Your season math: Washington DC gives lettuce about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 45 days to a first harvest. That fits about 18 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting lettuce in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant lettuce in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow lettuce between Feb 26 to Apr 12, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 5. There's also a fall window: Aug 25 to Oct 24. 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 lettuce 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.