When to Plant Tomatoes in Maryland
In Maryland, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Mar 31 – Apr 14 in Baltimore to May 6 – May 20 in Frostburg. In Baltimore, it's Mar 31 – Apr 14. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Maryland by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Annapolis | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Baltimore | 8a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Bel Air | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Bladensburg | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Bowie | 7a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Brunswick | 7a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Cambridge | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Chesapeake Beach | 8a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Cheverly | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| College Park | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Cumberland | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| District Heights | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Easton | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Elkton | 7b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Frederick | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Frostburg | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Fruitland | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Gaithersburg | 7b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Glenarden | 7b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Greenbelt | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Hagerstown | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Hampstead | 7a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Havre de Grace | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Hyattsville | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| La Plata | 7b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Laurel | 7b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Mount Airy | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Mount Rainier | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| New Carrollton | 7b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Ocean City | 8a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Poolesville | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Riverdale Park | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Rockville | 7b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Salisbury | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Takoma Park | 7b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Taneytown | 7a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Thurmont | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Walkersville | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Westminster | 7a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
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 tomatoes.
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