When to Plant Bachelor Button in Washington, District of Columbia (20049)

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

ZIP Code

20049

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, March 6, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Sow Bachelor Button directly outdoors 2 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Centaurea cyanus

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-30"

Spread 9"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Low to Moderate

↔️

Spacing

9" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Bachelor Button in Washington?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, March 6, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoBeanVegetable Garden

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Bachelor Button

See which plants help Bachelor Button thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow flower heads to dry completely on the plant. Harvest when fluffy seed heads are fully dry.

Processing

Pull seeds from dried flower heads — seeds have a small feathery tail. Dry 1 week in open envelope.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Bachelor buttons cross freely — expect some color variation when growing multiple colors and saving seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 56 plants of Bachelor Button. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bachelor Button in Washington, District of Columbia? +

In Washington (Zone 8a), direct sow Bachelor Button outdoors around Friday, March 6, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Washington, District of Columbia? +

The average last spring frost date for Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20049) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Bachelor Button take to grow? +

Bachelor Button typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Washington, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, March 6, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Bachelor Button indoors or direct sow in District of Columbia? +

Bachelor Button does best when direct sown outdoors. In Washington, sow directly around Friday, March 6, 2026.

📚 More Bachelor Button Planting Guides

🗺️

Bachelor Button in District of Columbia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Bachelor Button Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Bachelor Button in Zone 8a

Bachelor Button (Centaurea cyanus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, March 6, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Bachelor Button grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.