Madison, MD frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 15 and April 10, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 68 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waldorf, MD, 61 km away, the last frost here is 19 days earlier than there and the growing season is 38 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Madison, MD
Madison, MD frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 15, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Patuxent River Nas, MD weather station, 25 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Taylors Island Mar 29 · Nov 15
- Woolford Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Church Creek Mar 29 · Nov 15
- Cambridge Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Fishing Creek Mar 29 · Nov 15
- Crapo Mar 29 · Nov 15
- Lusby Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Saint Leonard Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Dowell Mar 22 · Nov 26
- Oxford Apr 1 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, MD?
The median last spring frost in Madison, MD is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Madison, MD?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, MD?
Madison, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.