Frost Dates for College Park, MD
In College Park, MD, the average last spring frost is around Apr 10 and the average first fall frost around Nov 1, for a growing season of about 202 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 1, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Beltsville, MD weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 145 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | May 1 | Oct 16 |
| 20% | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| 30% | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| 40% | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| 50% | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| 60% | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| 70% | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 80% | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
| 90% | Mar 27 | Nov 14 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 | Nov 11 |
Planting calendar for College Park
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Sow or transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Sow or transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Sow or transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Sow or transplant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Oct 4
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Sep 27
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 6
Sow or transplant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 20
Transplant Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Fall sowing Sep 20 – Oct 11
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 6
Plant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Based on the average last frost (Apr 10) and first frost (Nov 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.