Frost dates for 20738 — Riverdale, MD
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Riverdale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Riverdale falls between March 27 and April 24, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 103 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Riverdale shares its weather station with Bowie, MD, 10 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Riverdale, MD
Frost dates for 20738 — Riverdale, MD — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 29, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Riverdale, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Upper Marlboro 3 Nnw, MD weather station, 10 km away (elevation 131 ft (40 m)).
ZIP codes in Riverdale: 20737 20738
Frost dates near Riverdale
- Southern Md Facility Apr 9 · Oct 29
- District Heights Apr 9 · Oct 29
- Capitol Heights Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Andrews Air Force Base Apr 3 · Nov 8
- Suitland Apr 3 · Nov 8
- Temple Hills Apr 3 · Nov 8
- Fort Washington Apr 3 · Nov 8
- Upper Marlboro Apr 9 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Riverdale, MD?
The median last spring frost in Riverdale, MD is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Riverdale, MD?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Riverdale, MD?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Riverdale, MD?
Riverdale, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.