PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant celosia in Washington, District of Columbia

March 24 – April 7

Transplant outdoors · typical Washington year

Climate basis: NOAA station Washington Reagan AP, VA (USW00013743), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Washington (ZCTA 20004 centroid), elevation 10 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant celosia outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 24). One year in ten still freezes after April 6.

Last spring freezeMarch 241-in-10 after Apr 6
First fall freezeNovember 181-in-10 before Nov 5
Frost-free season≈ 241 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 12 – Dec 3kills even hardy greens

The Washington year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant outdoorsMar 24 – Apr 7
Direct-sow outdoorsMar 24 – Apr 7
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 6
Celosia in Washington · freeze context from Washington Reagan AP, VA, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 24 – Mar 10

University of Maryland's celosia production guide states seed is sown 4 weeks before the last frost date, which is the only frost-anchored figure found (Minnesota's 10-weeks guidance is anchored to the outdoor planting date, not to frost, so it cannot be used), giving a two-week sowing span opening 4 weeks before the median last freeze. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 24). University of Maryland Extension · University of Minnesota Extension · University of Illinois Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 24 – Apr 7

University of Maryland says to sow or transplant celosia in the field after the danger of frost has passed, so the window opens at the median last freeze; note Maryland's stricter companion rule of night temperatures consistently above 65 to 70 degrees F is not frost-anchored and cannot be expressed here, so the window's opening day is optimistic in cool-summer areas. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 24). University of Maryland Extension · University of Minnesota Extension · University of Illinois Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 24 – Apr 7

The same University of Maryland sentence covers direct sowing — sow or transplant celosia in the field after the danger of frost has passed — so direct sowing opens at the median last freeze, with Illinois independently classing celosia a tender annual. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 24). University of Maryland Extension · University of Minnesota Extension · University of Illinois Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes Celosia argentea in its crested (cockscomb) and plumed forms; Maryland warns that exposure below 60 degrees F stunts plants and triggers premature flowering, so the frost-anchored window opens earlier than the temperature at which celosia actually thrives.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (3)

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