Last frost date in Ballenger Creek, MD

Average last frost
April 2

In Ballenger Creek, the last spring frost comes around April 2 in an average year. Wait until April 15 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 6, which leaves 218 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 15
Average first frost
Nov 6
Frost-free season
218 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 21
Next 7 nights in Ballenger Creek

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 34°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is November 6.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2334°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2435°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 2First frost Nov 6218 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND218 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Frederick Police Brks, 2.6 miles from Ballenger Creek.

Planting calendar for Ballenger Creek

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Maryland.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 9–Apr 23
PumpkinsApr 16–Apr 30
SunflowersApr 2–Apr 23
CucumbersApr 16–Apr 23
CornApr 9–Apr 23
Sweet potatoesApr 23–May 7
WatermelonApr 16–Apr 30
Green beansApr 9–Apr 30
ZucchiniApr 9–Apr 23
OkraApr 23–May 7
PeppersApr 16–Apr 30
BasilApr 9–Apr 23
Butternut squashApr 9–Apr 23
CantaloupeApr 16–Apr 30
EggplantApr 16–Apr 30
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 5–Mar 19
OnionsFeb 19–Mar 12
CarrotsMar 12–Apr 16
LettuceMar 19–Apr 9
BroccoliMar 5–Mar 19
BeetsMar 5–Apr 16
PeasFeb 19–Mar 5
CabbageMar 5–Mar 19
RadishesFeb 26–Apr 9
Brussels sproutsMar 19–Apr 2
SpinachFeb 19–Mar 12
CilantroMar 19–Apr 9
KaleMar 5–Mar 19
Collard greensMar 5–Mar 19
TurnipsMar 5–Mar 19
DillApr 2–Apr 16
CeleryApr 9–Apr 16
CauliflowerMar 19–Apr 2
LeeksMar 19–Apr 2
Swiss chardMar 19–Apr 16
ParsleyMar 19–Apr 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 23–Nov 27
GarlicOct 16–Nov 20
Daffodil bulbsOct 9–Nov 20
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 5–Mar 19
AsparagusMar 5–Mar 19

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 17Apr 2Apr 15Oct 23Nov 6Nov 24
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 3Mar 21Apr 4Nov 6Nov 21Dec 11

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Frederick Police Brks (USC00183348) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Ballenger Creek at 380 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Ballenger Creek, MD?

The average last frost date in Ballenger Creek is April 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 15.

When is the first frost in Ballenger Creek?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 6. One year in ten it arrives before October 23.

How long is the growing season in Ballenger Creek?

About 218 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ballenger Creek?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 9 to April 23. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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