When is the last frost in Frederick, MD?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Frederick is around April 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Frederick Police Brks, MD station (6 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 Frederick?

The average first fall frost in Frederick, MD is around November 6, giving roughly a 218-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Frederick, MD?

Frederick 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 Frederick?

In Frederick, MD the warmest month is July (avg high 88.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 26.5°F). It averages about 43.5″ of precipitation a year.

Home › Maryland › Frederick

Frederick, MD Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 21701 · elevation 116′ · NOAA & USDA data

Frederick is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 218 days between the average last spring frost (April 2) and first fall frost (November 6). The warmest month is July (avg high 88.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 26.5°F). It averages 43.5″ of precipitation a year. 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 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 6

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

218 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Frederick

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Frederick Police Brks, MD (6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	43.1	26.5	34.8	2.6	–
February	47.8	28.5	38.2	3	–
March	55.3	35.6	45.5	3.7	–
April	68.6	44.7	56.7	3.6	–
May	77.4	55	66.2	4	–
June	85.2	63.3	74.2	4.3	–
July	88.6	68.4	78.5	3.9	–
August	86.7	66.4	76.5	2.9	–
September	80	59.3	69.7	5.8	–
October	68.8	47.2	58	3.3	–
November	56.3	37.8	47.1	2.7	–
December	47.1	30.7	38.9	4	–

What to plant when in Frederick

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 19 · Transplant out: April 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 5 · Transplant out: April 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 26 · Sow (fall): September 11
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 11
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 5 · Sow (fall): September 11
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 28
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 19
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 28
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 5
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 19
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 5 · Sow (fall): September 25

Dates are computed from Frederick'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

Gaithersburg, MD Hagerstown, MD Rockville, MD Baltimore, MD Bowie, MD Annapolis, 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 — Frederick Police Brks, MD, 6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Frederick Police Brks, MD, 6 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.