When to plant in Baltimore, MD
USDA Zone 8aBaltimore, Maryland frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~242-day season lets Baltimore gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 8a, Baltimore supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Baltimore’s own odds, recorded at MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 15 | Apr 3 | Mar 22 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F | Apr 4 | Mar 24 | Mar 8 | Nov 7 | Nov 21 | Dec 8 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 11 | Feb 24 | Nov 18 | Dec 5 | Dec 25 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Baltimore, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Baltimore planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Baltimore, MD?
On average, the last spring frost in Baltimore is around March 24 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Baltimore, MD?
In Baltimore, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 21 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Baltimore in?
Baltimore is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Baltimore?
Baltimore has about 242 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 24) and first fall frost (November 21).
When should I plant tomatoes in Baltimore?
For Baltimore, sow tomatoes indoors about January 27–February 10 and move the seedlings out around March 31, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Baltimore
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Baltimore’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Baltimore, MD — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093784. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maryland/baltimore.