Frost dates for 20721 — Bowie, MD
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Bowie compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bowie falls between April 3 and May 9, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 17 days later 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 112 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Washington, DC, 20 km away, the last frost here is 24 days later than there and the growing season is 41 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Bowie, MD
Frost dates for 20721 — Bowie, MD — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 22, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bowie, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Glenn Dale Bell Stn, MD weather station, 6 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Bowie: 20715 20716 20717 20718 20719 20720 20721
Frost dates near Bowie
- Glenn Dale Apr 22 · Oct 22
- Lanham Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Upper Marlboro Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Riverdale Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Capitol Heights Mar 29 · Nov 8
- College Park Mar 29 · Nov 8
- District Heights Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Greenbelt Apr 10 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bowie, MD?
The median last spring frost in Bowie, MD is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bowie, MD?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Bowie, MD?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bowie, MD?
Bowie, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.