When to Plant in Maryland
Maryland packs a surprising range of growing conditions into a small state. The Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay lowlands are mild and moderate, while western Maryland's Appalachian highlands have shorter, cooler growing seasons.
The Baltimore-DC corridor offers a moderate growing season ideal for a wide range of vegetables. Maryland's humid summers can be challenging, but the long frost-free period means gardeners have plenty of time for both spring and fall harvests.
Common Mistakes
- Planting warm-season crops too early — the DC-Baltimore area can still get frost through mid-April.
- Not spacing plants for airflow — Maryland's humidity promotes fungal diseases in crowded beds.
- Ignoring the Eastern Shore's longer season — it warms up faster than western Maryland.
- Forgetting fall planting — Maryland's mild autumn is excellent for lettuce, spinach, and root vegetables.
FAQ
What is the last frost date?
The last frost date is the typical date in spring when your area has its final frost. After this date, it's generally safe to plant warm-season crops outdoors.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Maryland?
Start tomato seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. In the Baltimore area, that's typically late February to early March.
Can I plant before the last frost?
Yes — cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, spinach, and broccoli can handle light frost and should be planted 4–6 weeks before your last frost date.
Why does timing vary so much within Maryland?
Western Maryland's mountains are significantly colder and higher than the coastal plain and Eastern Shore. Frost dates can differ by 3-4 weeks across the state.
What if I live in a frost-free area?
Maryland doesn't have frost-free areas, but the lower Eastern Shore and southern coastal areas have mild winters. Enter your zip code for personalized frost dates.
How does Plan My Garden create my schedule?
You enter your zip code, and we look up your local frost dates. Then based on the crops you pick, we calculate when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — personalized to your location.
City planting guides in Maryland
Popular ZIP frost dates
- Silver Spring, MD 20906
- Parkville, MD 21234
- Gaithersburg, MD 20878
- Hagerstown, MD 21740
- Owings Mills, MD 21117
- Germantown, MD 20874
- Pasadena, MD 21122
- Dundalk, MD 21222
- Glen Burnie, MD 21061
- Fort Washington, MD 20744
- Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
- Baltimore, MD 21215
- Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
- Potomac, MD 20854
- Catonsville, MD 21228
- Rockville, MD 20850
- Hyattsville, MD 20783
- Frederick, MD 21702
- Baltimore, MD 21206
- Ellicott City, MD 21043
- Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
- Elkton, MD 21921
- Columbia, MD 21044
- Essex, MD 21221
- Middle River, MD 21220
- Lanham, MD 20706
- Frederick, MD 21703
- Capitol Heights, MD 20743
- Cumberland, MD 21502
- Salisbury, MD 21804
- Temple Hills, MD 20748
- Nottingham, MD 21236
- Sykesville, MD 21784
- Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
- Westminster, MD 21157
- Bel Air, MD 21014
- Annapolis, MD 21401
- District Heights, MD 20747
- Windsor Mill, MD 21244
- Clinton, MD 20735
- Bethesda, MD 20817
- Elkridge, MD 21075
- Laurel, MD 20707
- Pikesville, MD 21208
- Severn, MD 21144
- Laurel, MD 20723
- College Park, MD 20740
- Odenton, MD 21113
- Silver Spring, MD 20901
- Halethorpe, MD 21227
Crop planting guides in Maryland
- Arugula
- Basil
- Beans
- Beets
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Collard Greens
- Cucumbers
- Dill
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Melons
- Okra
- Onions
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Scallions
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet Corn
- Swiss Chard
- Thyme
- Tomatoes
- Turnip
- Zucchini