Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant spinach in Washington DC.
Sow between Feb 12 to Mar 26 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 25 to Oct 13. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Spinach dates for a typical Washington DC season.
Direct sow
Feb 12 to Mar 26
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 0.5" deep, 3" apart.
Fall round
Aug 25 to Oct 13
Counted back from the ~Nov 8 first frost.
Harvest
~42 days later
~0.25 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 spinach here.
A middle-length season, about 217 frost-free days, means spinach overlaps leaf miners for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Winding pale tunnels or blotches inside the leaves.
Organic fix: Pick and destroy mined leaves; cover the row.
Cercospora leaf spot
Round spots with gray centers and a red-purple rim, oldest leaves worst.
Organic fix: Space wider so leaves dry fast, clear old debris, and pull pigweed and lambsquarters nearby.
Your season math: Washington DC gives spinach about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 42 days to a first harvest. That fits about 26 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting spinach in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant spinach in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow spinach between Feb 12 to Mar 26, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 5. There's also a fall window: Aug 25 to Oct 13. 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 spinach 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.