Frost Dates for Salisbury, MD 21804
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost October 27 · 199 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 21804 has about 40,400 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Salisbury.
Long season: 199 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 28–April 24 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 10 (29 days).
Frost probability for 21804
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 24 | April 11 | March 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 27 | November 10 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SALISBURY-WICOMICO RGNL AP (3.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Salisbury, MD
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21804 | April 11 | October 27 | 7b |
| 21801 | April 11 | October 27 | 7b |
Which crops fit a 199-day season in Salisbury
In Salisbury (199 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 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 27 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jul 2 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 21. | Aug 25 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 262 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 14. | Aug 16 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 14. | Aug 25 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 27 | 304 | overwinter: Plant Oct 27 to Nov 17; harvest the following summer. | Nov 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 255 | 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 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 9 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 25. | Jun 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 4. | Aug 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 14. | Jul 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 25. | Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jul 7 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 18. | Aug 11 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 199 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 18. | Jun 22 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 22 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 22 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 178 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 18. | Jul 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 11. | Jul 21 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 18. | Jul 2 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 18. | Jun 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
Month by month in Salisbury
| 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 14), Pumpkin (Jun 14), Cantaloupe (Jun 22), Celery (Jun 22), Melons (Jun 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 24), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 2), Tomatillos (Jul 2), Eggplant (Jul 7), Corn (Jul 9), Sunflowers (Jul 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 26), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Aug 1), Nasturtiums (Aug 5), Okra (Aug 5), Yellow Squash (Aug 5), Zucchini (Aug 5), Cauliflower (Aug 6), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 4), Scallions (Sep 4), Bok Choy (Sep 5), Lettuce (Sep 5), Kale (Sep 9), Kohlrabi (Sep 9), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 27). First frost around October 27. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 17). |
| 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 Salisbury, MD (ZIP 21804)?
The median last spring frost date for Salisbury, MD (ZIP code 21804) 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 28; one in ten it runs past April 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Salisbury, MD?
The median first fall frost date for Salisbury, MD is around October 27. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salisbury, MD?
The frost-free growing season in Salisbury is about 199 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 Salisbury (199 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 Salisbury, MD?
Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, MD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Salisbury. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salisbury?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3.
When do I plant garlic in Salisbury?
Oct 27 to Nov 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Salisbury?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 27 for a fall crop.
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