Baltimore, MD planting zone & frost dates

Baltimore is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 24 and the first fall frost around November 21, for a growing season of about 244 days.

USDA hardiness zone8aavg. extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F

Average last spring frostMarch 2490% chance of no frost after April 4

Average first fall frostNovember 2110% chance of frost by November 7

Growing season244 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Baltimore

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 21).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 8	Mar 24	Apr 4
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 8	Nov 21	Nov 7

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 7. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 11.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Baltimore

21201 zone 8a
21202 zone 8a
21203 zone 8a
21205 zone 8a
21206 zone 7b
21209 zone 7b
21210 zone 7b
21211 zone 7b
21212 zone 7b
21213 zone 8a
21214 zone 7b
21215 zone 7b
21216 zone 7b
21217 zone 7b
21218 zone 7b
21223 zone 7b
21224 zone 8a
21229 zone 7b
21230 zone 8a
21231 zone 8a
21233 zone 8a
21235 zone 7b
21239 zone 7b
21240 zone 7b
21241 zone 7b
21250 zone 7b
21263 zone 8a
21264 zone 7b
21270 zone 7b
21273 zone 8a
21275 zone 8a
21278 zone 8a
21279 zone 8a
21281 zone 8a
21289 zone 7b
21290 zone 8a
21297 zone 8a
21298 zone 8a

Nearby cities

Canton zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
Brooklyn Park zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
Gwynn Oak zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
Linthicum zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
Arbutus zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
Dundalk zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
Rosedale zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
Ferndale zone 7b, last frost Apr 10

All cities in Maryland → · Other zone 8a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 7b.

When is the last frost in Baltimore?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Baltimore is March 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 4.

When can I plant tomatoes in Baltimore?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 31 – Apr 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Md Sci Ctr Baltimore, MD (USW00093784), 1.0 km (0.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 6 m, based on 19 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.