West River, MD frost dates
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season242 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How West River compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in West River falls between March 8 and April 6, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 5.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 242-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bowie, MD, 25 km away, the last frost here is 17 days earlier than there and the growing season is 39 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 5 |
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 West River, MD
West River, MD frost dates — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 20, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in West River, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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 Annapolis Naf, MD weather station, 19 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 m)).
Frost dates near West River
- Galesville Mar 23 · Nov 20
- Shady Side Mar 23 · Nov 20
- Churchton Mar 23 · Nov 20
- Deale Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Tracys Landing Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Mayo Mar 23 · Nov 20
- Harwood Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Edgewater Mar 27 · Nov 13
- Friendship Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Lothian Apr 9 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in West River, MD?
The median last spring frost in West River, MD is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in West River, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in West River, MD?
About 242 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is West River, MD?
West River, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.