Frost Dates for Oakland, MD 21550
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost September 26 · 132 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 21550 has about 13,700 people.
Moderate season: 132 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–June 3 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 13–October 9 (26 days).
Frost probability for 21550
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 3 | May 17 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 13 | September 26 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OAKLAND 1 SE (2.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 132-day season in Oakland
In Oakland (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 7 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 31. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 31. | Jun 1 |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 26. | Jul 25 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jun 30 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 24. | Jul 7 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 195 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 22. | Jul 16 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jul 5 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 19. | Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 19. | Jul 25 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 26 | 237 | overwinter: Plant Sep 26 to Oct 17; harvest the following summer. | Oct 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 188 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 24. | Jun 8 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 10. | Jul 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 90 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 90 available after May 31. | Jun 6 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 24. | Jul 5 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 7. | Jun 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 24. | Jul 11 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 132 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 132 available after May 24. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 31. | — |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | Jun 30 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 10 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 31. | — |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | Jul 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 111 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 111 available after May 24. | Jun 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after May 31. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | Jun 20 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 24. | Jun 1 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 24. | May 27 |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jul 5 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | Jun 30 |
Month by month in Oakland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 27). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 1), Tomatillos (Jun 1), Eggplant (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 8), Sunflowers (Jun 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 25), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jul 1), Nasturtiums (Jul 5), Okra (Jul 5), Yellow Squash (Jul 5), Zucchini (Jul 5), Cauliflower (Jul 6), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 4), Scallions (Aug 4), Bok Choy (Aug 5), Lettuce (Aug 5), Kale (Aug 9), Kohlrabi (Aug 9), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 26). First frost around September 26. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 17). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Oakland, MD (ZIP 21550)?
The median last spring frost date for Oakland, MD (ZIP code 21550) is around May 17. 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 May 1; one in ten it runs past June 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Oakland, MD?
The median first fall frost date for Oakland, MD is around September 26. 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 September 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Oakland, MD?
The frost-free growing season in Oakland is about 132 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 Oakland (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Oakland, MD?
Oakland, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Oakland, MD?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Oakland. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Oakland?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3.
When do I plant garlic in Oakland?
Sep 26 to Oct 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Oakland?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Keyser (ZIP 26726) has 159 frost-free days, 27 more than Oakland (ZIP 21550). See Keyser ZIP 26726 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Cumberland, MD 21502 (38 mi)
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- When to plant in MD
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