Frost Dates for La Plata, MD 20646
Last spring frost April 6 · First fall frost November 3 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 20646 has about 21,400 people.
Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 21–April 20 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 20 (34 days).
Frost probability for 20646
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 6 | March 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 3 | November 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLONIAL BEACH (30.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 211-day season in La Plata
In La Plata (211 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 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 16. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 9–Apr 20 | 274 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 9. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 12 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 246 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 9–Mar 30 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 9. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 316 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 2–Apr 27 | 267 | 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 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 30. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Mar 2 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 9–Mar 30 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 211 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Sage | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 12 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 20. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 13. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 6. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in La Plata
| 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 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| 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 La Plata, MD (ZIP 20646)?
The median last spring frost date for La Plata, MD (ZIP code 20646) 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 20.
What is the first fall frost date in La Plata, MD?
The median first fall frost date for La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD?
The frost-free growing season in La Plata 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 La Plata (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 La Plata, MD?
La Plata, 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 La Plata, MD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 2 and plant out Apr 20 in La Plata. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in La Plata?
Two: plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in La Plata?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in La Plata?
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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