Helen, MD frost dates
Last spring frostMar 22median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season249 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Helen compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Helen falls between March 6 and April 5, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 249-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 14 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waldorf, MD, 42 km away, the last frost here is 26 days earlier than there and the growing season is 56 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Helen, MD
Helen, MD frost dates — last frost Mar 22, first frost Nov 26, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Helen, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 22 – Mar 29 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Basil | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 29 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 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 Solomons, MD weather station, 14 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
Frost dates near Helen
- Leonardtown Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Hollywood Mar 22 · Nov 26
- California Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Loveville Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Compton Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Morganza Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Clements Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Great Mills Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Callaway Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Avenue Apr 17 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Helen, MD?
The median last spring frost in Helen, MD is March 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Helen, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Helen, MD?
About 249 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Helen, MD?
Helen, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.