Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant zucchini in Washington DC.
Sow between Apr 12 to Jul 26 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
Zucchini dates for a typical Washington DC season.
Direct sow
Apr 12 to Jul 26
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~50 days later
~8 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 zucchini here.
A middle-length season, about 217 frost-free days, means squash, summer 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: Lay a board out overnight and collect them at dawn; scrape bronze egg clusters off leaf undersides.
Sudden wilt with sawdust-like frass at the stem base.
Organic fix: Cover young plants; slit the stem to remove the grub, or inject Bt.
Yellow striped or spotted beetles chewing leaves and blossoms.
Organic fix: Row cover until the first female flowers open, then hand-pick.
White powder coating the leaves late in the season.
Organic fix: Space for airflow, water the soil rather than the leaves, use resistant varieties.
Your season math: Washington DC gives zucchini about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 50 days to a first harvest. That fits about 6 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting zucchini in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant zucchini in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow zucchini between Apr 12 to Jul 26, 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 zucchini 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.