Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Typical last spring frost April 1 (1 spring in 10 later than April 15). Typical first fall frost November 6 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 24). Growing season about 219 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 19 and fades out by April 15. It is unlikely from then until October 24, and likely again after November 21. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 1 and November 6.

January

  • January 14 to February 11: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • January 28 to February 25: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 11 to March 4: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 18 to March 4: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • February 25 to March 11: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 4 to 18: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 4 to 18: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 18 to April 1: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 18 to April 1: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 1: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 15: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 15: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 11 to 25: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 1 to 15: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

August

  • August 10: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 19: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 20: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 24: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 3: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 13: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 23: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 24: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 26 to December 3: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Rockville 1 NE (station USC00187705), 4 miles from the center of Gaithersburg. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/maryland/gaithersburg/

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