Frost dates for 20892 — Bethesda, MD
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season205 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Bethesda compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bethesda falls between March 27 and April 26, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 205-day growing season is longer than 40% 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 96 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Silver Spring, MD, 7 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Bethesda, MD
Frost dates for 20892 — Bethesda, MD — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 31, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
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 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
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 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
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 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bethesda, 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 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| 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 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| 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 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD weather station, 7 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Bethesda: 20810 20811 20813 20814 20816 20817 20824 20827 20889 20892 20894
Frost dates near Bethesda
- Chevy Chase Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Kensington Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Garrett Park Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Glen Echo Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Cabin John Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Silver Spring Apr 10 · Nov 1
- Takoma Park Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Rockville Apr 1 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bethesda, MD?
The median last spring frost in Bethesda, MD is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bethesda, MD?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Bethesda, MD?
About 205 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bethesda, MD?
Bethesda, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.