Frost dates for 21041 — Ellicott City, MD
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Ellicott City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ellicott City falls between March 21 and April 19, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 24.
- The median last frost is the same as the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 55% of the 431 Maryland places with a regular frost season (state median 216 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Ellicott City shares its weather station with Columbia, MD, 9 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 Ellicott City, MD
Frost dates for 21041 — Ellicott City, MD — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 9, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ellicott City, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Laurel 3 W, MD weather station, 17 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 m)).
ZIP codes in Ellicott City: 21041 21042 21043
Frost dates near Ellicott City
- Simpsonville Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Clarksville Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Dayton Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Highland Apr 5 · Nov 9
- West Friendship Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Glenelg Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Glenwood Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Brinklow Apr 1 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ellicott City, MD?
The median last spring frost in Ellicott City, MD is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ellicott City, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Ellicott City, MD?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ellicott City, MD?
Ellicott City, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.