Frost Dates for Rockville, MD
In Rockville, MD, the average last spring frost is around Apr 1 and the average first fall frost around Nov 6, for a growing season of about 219 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 15, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Rockville 1 Ne, MD weather station, 1 mile away, elevation 440 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% | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| 20% | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| 30% | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| 40% | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
| 50% | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| 60% | Mar 31 | Nov 9 |
| 70% | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| 80% | Mar 24 | Nov 15 |
| 90% | Mar 19 | Nov 21 |
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 16 | Oct 25 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 | Nov 19 |
Planting calendar for Rockville
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sow or transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 9
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 2
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 25
Transplant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Fall sowing Aug 14 – Aug 28
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 16
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Plant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Based on the average last frost (Apr 1) and first frost (Nov 6). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.