When is the last frost in Bowie, MD?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Bowie is around April 22, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Glenn Dale Bell Stn, MD station (3.9 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Bowie?

The average first fall frost in Bowie, MD is around October 22, giving roughly a 183-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Bowie, MD?

Bowie is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Bowie?

In Bowie, MD the warmest month is July (avg high 88°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 24.7°F). It averages about 45″ of precipitation a year and 15.9″ of snow.

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Bowie, MD Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 20715 · elevation 40′ · NOAA & USDA data

Bowie is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 183 days between the average last spring frost (April 22) and first fall frost (October 22). The warmest month is July (avg high 88°F); the coldest is January (avg low 24.7°F). It averages 45″ of precipitation a year and 15.9″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 22

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 22

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

183 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Bowie

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Upper Marlboro 3 Nnw, MD (9.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	43.9	24.7	34.3	3	5.7
February	46.8	25.9	36.4	2.7	6.3
March	54.7	32.8	43.8	3.9	1.7
April	66.5	43.5	55	3.4	0
May	74.8	53.5	64.1	4.1	0
June	83.5	62.7	73.1	4.2	0
July	88	67.3	77.7	4.2	0
August	86.3	65.3	75.8	4.1	0
September	79.9	58.2	69	4.5	0
October	68.8	45.6	57.2	4.1	0
November	58	35.5	46.7	3.3	0
December	48	28.8	38.4	3.6	2.2

What to plant when in Bowie

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 11 · Transplant out: April 29
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 25 · Transplant out: May 6
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 29
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 29
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 27
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 27
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 27
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 13
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 8
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 13
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 8
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): September 10

Dates are computed from Bowie's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Maryland

Annapolis, MD Baltimore, MD Rockville, MD Gaithersburg, MD Frederick, MD Hagerstown, MD

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Glenn Dale Bell Stn, MD, 3.9 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Upper Marlboro 3 Nnw, MD, 9.5 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.