Ocean City, MD frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Ocean City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ocean City falls between March 24 and April 23, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 42% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 81 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Ocean City, MD
Ocean City, MD frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 2, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ocean City, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Ocean City Muni Ap, MD weather station, 5 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
ZIP codes in Ocean City: 21842 21843
Frost dates near Ocean City
- Berlin Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Showell Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Bishopville Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Whaleyville Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Newark Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Willards Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Powellville Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Pittsville Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Snow Hill Apr 10 · Oct 31
- Parsonsburg Apr 10 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ocean City, MD?
The median last spring frost in Ocean City, MD is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ocean City, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Ocean City, MD?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ocean City, MD?
Ocean City, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.