Frost dates for 21286 — Towson, MD
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Towson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Towson falls between March 20 and April 13, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Maryland median of Apr 5.
- Its 219-day growing season is longer than 63% 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 92 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Baltimore, MD, 13 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Towson, MD
Frost dates for 21286 — Towson, MD — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 7, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Towson, MD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Cylburn, MD weather station, 10 km away (elevation 236 ft (72 m)).
ZIP codes in Towson: 21204 21252 21284 21285 21286
Frost dates near Towson
- Parkville Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Lutherville Timonium Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Riderwood Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Glen Arm Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Phoenix Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Long Green Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Nottingham Apr 2 · Nov 7
- Brooklandville Apr 2 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Towson, MD?
The median last spring frost in Towson, MD is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Towson, MD?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Towson, MD?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Towson, MD?
Towson, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.