When to plant in Bethesda, MD
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Bethesda, Maryland — all computed from Bethesda's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Bethesda, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
DALECARLIA RSVR · 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 Bethesda’s own odds, recorded at DALECARLIA RSVR.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 10 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F | Apr 26 | Apr 9 | Mar 27 | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 12 | Mar 30 | Mar 12 | Oct 29 | Nov 9 | Nov 27 |
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 Bethesda, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Bethesda planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bethesda, MD?
Bethesda's average last spring frost falls near April 9 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Bethesda, MD?
Expect Bethesda's first fall frost near October 31 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Bethesda in?
Bethesda is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Bethesda?
There are roughly 205 frost-free days in Bethesda (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 9 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Bethesda?
In Bethesda, start tomato seeds indoors around February 12–February 26, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 16 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Bethesda
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bethesda’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Bethesda · 6 km
- Potomac · 7 km
- McLean · 8 km
- Silver Spring · 9 km
- Wheaton · 9 km
- Takoma Park · 10 km
- Kemp Mill · 10 km
- Glenmont · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at DALECARLIA RSVR, 5 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 Bethesda, MD — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00182325. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maryland/bethesda.