When to Plant Potatoes in Maryland
In Maryland, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 3 – Mar 17 in Baltimore to Apr 8 – Apr 22 in Frostburg. In Baltimore, it's Mar 3 – Mar 17. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 24 in Baltimore, Apr 29 in Frostburg), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Maryland by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 7b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Annapolis | 8a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Baltimore | 8a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Bel Air | 7b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Bladensburg | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Bowie | 7a | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Brunswick | 7a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Cambridge | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Chesapeake Beach | 8a | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Cheverly | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| College Park | 7b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Cumberland | 7a | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| District Heights | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Easton | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Elkton | 7b | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Frederick | 7b | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Frostburg | 6b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Fruitland | 7b | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Gaithersburg | 7b | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Glenarden | 7b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Greenbelt | 7b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Hagerstown | 7a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Hampstead | 7a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Havre de Grace | 7b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Hyattsville | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| La Plata | 7b | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Laurel | 7b | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Mount Airy | 7a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Mount Rainier | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| New Carrollton | 7b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Ocean City | 8a | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Poolesville | 7b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Riverdale Park | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Rockville | 7b | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Salisbury | 7b | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Takoma Park | 7b | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Taneytown | 7a | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Thurmont | 7a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Walkersville | 7a | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Westminster | 7a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Maryland, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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