When to plant in Germantown, MD
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Germantown, Maryland — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7b, Germantown supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
DAMASCUS 3 SSW · 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 Germantown’s own odds, recorded at DAMASCUS 3 SSW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 15 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Oct 5 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F | May 2 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 13 | Oct 29 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Mar 18 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 | Nov 24 |
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 Germantown, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 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.
Germantown planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Germantown, MD?
On average, the last spring frost in Germantown is around April 14 (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 Germantown, MD?
Expect Germantown's first fall frost near October 29 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Germantown in?
Germantown 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 Germantown?
Germantown has about 198 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 14) and first fall frost (October 29).
When should I plant tomatoes in Germantown?
For Germantown, sow tomatoes indoors about February 17–March 3 and move the seedlings out around April 21, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Germantown
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Germantown’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Montgomery Village · 5 km
- Clarksburg · 5 km
- Gaithersburg · 7 km
- Flower Hill · 7 km
- North Potomac · 9 km
- Redland · 11 km
- Damascus · 12 km
- Travilah · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at DAMASCUS 3 SSW, 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 Germantown, MD — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00182336. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/maryland/germantown.