Chesapeake Beach, MD frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Chesapeake Beach compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chesapeake Beach falls between March 31 and May 2, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 15% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 98 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bowie, MD, 35 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Chesapeake Beach, MD
Chesapeake Beach, MD frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 27, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chesapeake Beach, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Mechanicsville 5 Ne, MD weather station, 26 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
Frost dates near Chesapeake Beach
- Sunderland Apr 17 · Oct 27
- North Beach Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Owings Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Friendship Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Huntingtown Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Tracys Landing Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Dunkirk Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Deale Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Churchton Mar 23 · Nov 20
- Prince Frederick Apr 17 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chesapeake Beach, MD?
The median last spring frost in Chesapeake Beach, MD is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chesapeake Beach, MD?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Chesapeake Beach, MD?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chesapeake Beach, MD?
Chesapeake Beach, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.