When to plant in Fort Meade, MD
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Fort Meade, Maryland — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Fort Meade, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
BALTIMORE WASH INTL AP · 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 Fort Meade’s own odds, recorded at BALTIMORE WASH INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 12 | Apr 24 | Apr 9 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F | Apr 25 | Apr 10 | Mar 27 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 10 | Mar 28 | Mar 13 | Oct 30 | Nov 10 | 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 Fort Meade, 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.
Fort Meade planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Fort Meade, MD?
Plan for the last spring frost in Fort Meade around April 10 (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 Fort Meade, MD?
The first fall frost in Fort Meade typically arrives around October 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Fort Meade in?
Fort Meade 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 Fort Meade?
There are roughly 204 frost-free days in Fort Meade (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 10 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Fort Meade?
In Fort Meade, start tomato seeds indoors around February 13–February 27, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 17 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Fort Meade
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Fort Meade’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Severn · 5 km
- Maryland City · 5 km
- Odenton · 6 km
- North Laurel · 9 km
- Elkridge · 10 km
- South Laurel · 10 km
- Laurel · 10 km
- Crofton · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at BALTIMORE WASH INTL AP, 9 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 Fort Meade, MD — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093721. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maryland/fort-meade.