Damascus, MD planting zone & frost dates
Damascus is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 14 and the first fall frost around October 29, for a growing season of about 196 days.
Planting calendar for Damascus
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 14) 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: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 29).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | May 2 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 12 | Oct 29 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 2, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Damascus
- 20872 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Clarksburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
- Green Valley zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
- Montgomery Village zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- Germantown zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- Gaithersburg zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- Olney zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- Rockville zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- North Potomac zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
Questions
What growing zone is Damascus, MD?
Damascus is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Damascus?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Damascus is April 14. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 2.
When can I plant tomatoes in Damascus?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 21 – Apr 28. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Damascus 3 Ssw, MD (USC00182336), 3.6 km (2.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 213 m, based on 23 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.