Frost Dates for Indian Head, MD 20640
Last spring frost April 6 · First fall frost November 7 · 215 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 20640 has about 10,700 people.
Long season: 215 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 21–April 22 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 20 (24 days).
Frost probability for 20640
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 6 | March 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 7 | November 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLONIAL BEACH (38.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 215-day season in Indian Head
In Indian Head (215 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 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 8 |
| Pepper | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 16. | Sep 5 |
| Cucumber | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Peas | — | Feb 9–Apr 20 | 278 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 9. | Aug 27 |
| Zucchini | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Onion | Jan 12 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 9–Mar 30 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 9. | Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 9. | Sep 5 |
| Radish | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 7 | 320 | overwinter: Plant Nov 7 to Nov 28; harvest the following summer. | Nov 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 2–Apr 27 | 271 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jul 20 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 20. | Jun 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 30. | Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 23 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 9. | Aug 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 20. | Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Basil | Mar 2 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 9–Mar 30 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Parsley | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 13. | Aug 22 |
| Celery | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 215 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 13. | Jul 3 |
| Scallions | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Collards | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 3 |
| Chives | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Oregano | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Sage | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 12 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Melons | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 173 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 20. | Jul 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 194 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 13. | Aug 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 20. | Jul 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 6. | Aug 1 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 13 |
| Watermelon | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 13. | Jul 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
Month by month in Indian Head
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 12), Lavender (Jan 12), Onion (Jan 12), Rosemary (Jan 12), Celery (Jan 26), Collards (Jan 26), +5 more. |
| February | Start 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. |
| March | Start 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). |
| April | Direct 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. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 25), Pumpkin (Jun 25). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 3), Celery (Jul 3), Melons (Jul 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 5), Tomato (Jul 8), Watermelon (Jul 8), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 1), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 6), Pole Beans (Aug 6), Basil (Aug 11), Cosmos (Aug 11), Cucumber (Aug 11), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 5), Carrots (Sep 5), Beets (Sep 6), Dill (Sep 6), Swiss Chard (Sep 6), Calendula (Sep 11), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 5), Spinach (Oct 5), Radish (Oct 6). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 7). First frost around November 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 28). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Indian Head, MD (ZIP 20640)?
The median last spring frost date for Indian Head, MD (ZIP code 20640) 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 21; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Indian Head, MD?
The median first fall frost date for Indian Head, MD is around November 7. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Indian Head, MD?
The frost-free growing season in Indian Head is about 215 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 Indian Head (215 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 Indian Head, MD?
Indian Head, 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 Indian Head, MD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 2 and plant out Apr 20 in Indian Head. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Indian Head?
Two: plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14.
When do I plant garlic in Indian Head?
Nov 7 to Nov 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Indian Head?
Yes: plant out Apr 20 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 8 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Dumfries, VA 22026 (7 mi)
- Frost dates for Lorton, VA 22079 (8.9 mi)
- Frost dates for La Plata, MD 20646 (9.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 (10.4 mi)
- Frost dates for White Plains, MD 20695 (10.7 mi)
- 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