Darlington, MD frost dates
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Darlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Darlington falls between March 22 and April 18, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 53% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 13 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Towson, MD, 42 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 22 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Darlington, MD
Darlington, MD frost dates — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 6, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Darlington, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Conowingo Dam, MD weather station, 5 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Darlington
- Conowingo Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Whiteford Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Churchville Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Colora Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Street Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Port Deposit Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Havre De Grace Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Rising Sun Apr 3 · Nov 6
- Bel Air Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Pylesville Apr 3 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Darlington, MD?
The median last spring frost in Darlington, MD is April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Darlington, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Darlington, MD?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Darlington, MD?
Darlington, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.