Silver Spring, MD planting zone & frost dates
Silver Spring is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 10 and the first fall frost around November 1, for a growing season of about 202 days.
Planting calendar for Silver Spring
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 10) 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 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 6 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 1).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | May 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 14 | Nov 1 | Oct 16 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 16. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 29.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Silver Spring
- 20901 zone 7b
- 20902 zone 7b
- 20903 zone 7b
- 20904 zone 7b
- 20905 zone 7b
- 20906 zone 7b
- 20907 zone 7b
- 20908 zone 7b
- 20910 zone 7b
- 20911 zone 7b
- 20914 zone 7b
- 20915 zone 7b
- 20916 zone 7b
- 20918 zone 7b
- 20993 zone 7b
- 20997 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Takoma Park zone 7b, last frost Mar 29
- Chillum zone 7b, last frost Mar 29
- Langley Park zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Kemp Mill zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Adelphi zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Wheaton zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- White Oak zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Glenmont zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
Questions
What growing zone is Silver Spring, MD?
Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Silver Spring is April 10. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in Silver Spring?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 17 – Apr 24. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Beltsville, MD (USC00180700), 9.3 km (5.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 44 m, based on 28 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.