When to plant in Elkton, MD
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Elkton, Maryland — all computed from Elkton's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Elkton, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Elkton is now 7 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
NEWARK AG FARM · 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 Elkton’s own odds, recorded at NEWARK AG FARM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 9 | Apr 22 | Apr 8 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| 32°F | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Mar 26 | Oct 19 | Nov 2 | Nov 17 |
| 28°F | Apr 8 | Mar 27 | Mar 11 | Nov 1 | Nov 13 | Dec 1 |
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 Elkton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 28 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.
Elkton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elkton, MD?
Plan for the last spring frost in Elkton around April 7 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Elkton, MD?
Expect Elkton's first fall frost near November 2 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Elkton in?
Elkton 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 Elkton?
There are roughly 209 frost-free days in Elkton (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 7 to the first fall frost near November 2.
When should I plant tomatoes in Elkton?
In Elkton, start tomato seeds indoors around February 10–February 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 14 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Elkton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elkton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Glasgow · 6 km
- Newark · 10 km
- Brookside · 12 km
- Bear · 12 km
- Pike Creek Valley · 17 km
- Middletown · 20 km
- Hockessin · 23 km
- Havre de Grace · 26 km
Frost dates recorded at NEWARK AG FARM, 10 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 Elkton, MD — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00076410. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maryland/elkton.