Frost Dates for Baltimore, MD 21214
Baltimore has 25 ZIP codes. The Baltimore, MD frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost October 29 · 201 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 21214 has about 21,100 people, one of 25 ZIP codes in Baltimore.
Long season: 201 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 22 (22 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 11 (29 days).
Frost probability for 21214
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 11 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | October 29 | November 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INTL AP (22.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 201-day season in Baltimore
In Baltimore (201 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 21. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 264 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 14. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 14. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 14. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 306 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 257 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 25. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 4. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 14. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 25. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 18. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 201 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 18. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 180 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 18. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 25. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 11. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 18. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 18. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Baltimore
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 17), Lavender (Jan 17), Onion (Jan 17), Rosemary (Jan 17), Celery (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 14), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 14), Cabbage (Feb 14), Lettuce (Feb 14), Sage (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 14), Beets (Feb 14), Dill (Feb 14), Peas (Feb 14), Radish (Feb 14), Spinach (Feb 14), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 7), Tomato (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Corn (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 14), Nasturtiums (Mar 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 14), Turnip (Mar 14), Carrots (Mar 21), Potatoes (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 7). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 11), Beans (Apr 18), Pole Beans (Apr 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 11), Lavender (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Mint (Apr 11), +24 more. Last frost around April 11. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 2). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Baltimore, MD (ZIP 21214)?
The median last spring frost date for Baltimore, MD (ZIP code 21214) is around April 11. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 31; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Baltimore, MD?
The median first fall frost date for Baltimore, MD is around October 29. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Baltimore, MD?
The frost-free growing season in Baltimore is about 201 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Baltimore (201 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Baltimore, MD?
Baltimore, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Baltimore, MD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Baltimore. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Baltimore?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Baltimore?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Baltimore?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Baltimore, MD 21206 (1.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Parkville, MD 21234 (3.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Rosedale, MD 21237 (3.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Towson, MD 21286 (4.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Nottingham, MD 21236 (4.9 mi)
- When to plant in Baltimore, MD: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in MD
- When to plant Peppers in MD
- When to plant Cucumbers in MD
- When to plant Zucchini in MD
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MD
- When to plant Basil in MD
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MD
- Look up another ZIP