Frost Dates for California, MD 20619

Last spring frost April 6 · First fall frost November 3 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b

ZIP 20619 has about 14,200 people.

Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 22–April 22 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 20 (34 days).

Frost probability for 20619

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 22April 6March 22
Fall (first frost)October 17November 3November 20

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLONIAL BEACH (38.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 211-day season in California

In California (211 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 2Apr 20–Apr 27169fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20.Jul 4
PepperFeb 23Apr 20–Apr 27169fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20.Jul 9
LettuceFeb 9Mar 9–Mar 16246two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 12
Carrots—Mar 16–Mar 23253fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 16.Sep 1
CucumberMar 16Apr 20–Apr 27183two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
Beans—Apr 13–Apr 27197two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27.Aug 14
Peas—Feb 9–Apr 20274fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 9.Aug 23
ZucchiniMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27183two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
OnionJan 12Mar 9–Mar 23246fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 9.—
Spinach—Feb 9–Mar 30288two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24.Oct 1
KaleJan 26Mar 9–Mar 23260two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 16
BroccoliFeb 9Mar 9–Mar 23246fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 9.Aug 8
CabbageFeb 9Mar 9–Mar 23260fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9.Sep 1
Radish—Feb 9–May 4274two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10.Oct 2
Beets—Feb 9–May 4274two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
Potatoes—Mar 23–Mar 30232fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 23.—
Garlic—Nov 3316overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer.Nov 24
Strawberry—Mar 2–Apr 27267perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 9Apr 13–Apr 20183fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13.Jul 16
PumpkinMar 23Apr 20–Apr 20176fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20.Jun 21
CauliflowerFeb 23Mar 30–Apr 13225fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 30.Aug 13
Swiss ChardFeb 9Mar 23–Mar 23232two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
Arugula—Feb 9–May 4288two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24.Oct 1
Brussel SproutsFeb 9Mar 9–Mar 23260fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9.Aug 2
Butternut SquashMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27176fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20.Jun 21
EggplantFeb 16Apr 20–Apr 27169fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20.Jul 14
OkraMar 9Apr 13–Apr 20190two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
BasilMar 2Apr 27–Apr 27176two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
Cilantro—Mar 9–Mar 30246two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 7
ParsleyJan 26Apr 13–Apr 20211fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13.Aug 18
CeleryJan 26Apr 13–Apr 27211fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13.Jun 29
ScallionsJan 26Mar 9–Mar 23260two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 11
Turnip—Mar 9–Mar 23260two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 21
Kohlrabi—Feb 23–Mar 9274two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 16
Bok ChoyMar 9Mar 30–Apr 6225two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 12
CollardsJan 26Mar 9–Mar 23260two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 11
CantaloupeMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27169fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20.Jun 29
ChivesJan 12Apr 13–Apr 20225fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13.—
Dill—Feb 9–May 4274two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
OreganoJan 26Apr 13–Apr 20225fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13.—
RosemaryJan 12Apr 13–Apr 20211fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13.—
SageFeb 9Apr 13–Apr 20225fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13.—
ThymeJan 26Apr 13–Apr 20225fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13.—
CalendulaFeb 23Mar 23–Apr 6232two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 7
CosmosMar 9Apr 6–Apr 20197two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
LavenderJan 12Apr 6–Apr 20232fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6.—
MarigoldsFeb 23Apr 6–Apr 13197two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 17
MelonsMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27169fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20.Jun 29
Mint—Apr 6–Apr 20232fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6.—
NasturtiumsMar 9Apr 6–Apr 13197two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
Pole Beans—Apr 13–Apr 27190fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 13.Aug 2
Spaghetti SquashMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20.Jul 1
Sunflowers—Apr 6–Apr 20197fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 6.Jul 28
TomatillosFeb 9Apr 13–Apr 20176fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13.Jul 9
WatermelonMar 23Apr 13–Apr 20176fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13.Jul 4
Yellow SquashMar 23Apr 20–Apr 27183two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
ZinniasMar 9Apr 6–Apr 20197two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7

Month by month in California

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 12), Lavender (Jan 12), Onion (Jan 12), Rosemary (Jan 12), Celery (Jan 26), Collards (Jan 26), +5 more.
FebruaryStart indoors: Broccoli (Feb 9), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 9), Cabbage (Feb 9), Lettuce (Feb 9), Sage (Feb 9), Swiss Chard (Feb 9), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 9), Beets (Feb 9), Dill (Feb 9), Peas (Feb 9), Radish (Feb 9), Spinach (Feb 9), +1 more.
MarchStart indoors: Basil (Mar 2), Tomato (Mar 2), Bok Choy (Mar 9), Corn (Mar 9), Cosmos (Mar 9), Nasturtiums (Mar 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 9), Turnip (Mar 9), Carrots (Mar 16), Potatoes (Mar 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Collards (Mar 9), Kale (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 2).
AprilDirect sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 6), Beans (Apr 13), Pole Beans (Apr 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 6), Lavender (Apr 6), Marigolds (Apr 6), Mint (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +23 more. Last frost around April 6.
MayFrost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29).
JulyLast sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2).
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24).
DecemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for California, MD (ZIP 20619)?

The median last spring frost date for California, MD (ZIP code 20619) is around April 6. 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 22; one in ten it runs past April 22.

What is the first fall frost date in California, MD?

The median first fall frost date for California, MD is around November 3. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in California, MD?

The frost-free growing season in California is about 211 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 California (211 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 California, MD?

California, 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 California, MD?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 2 and plant out Apr 20 in California. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in California?

Two: plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.

When do I plant garlic in California?

Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in California?

Yes: plant out Apr 20 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.

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