Last frost date in Baltimore, MD

Average last frost
March 24

In Baltimore, the last spring frost comes around March 24 in an average year. Wait until April 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 21, which leaves 244 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 4
Average first frost
Nov 21
Frost-free season
244 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 11
Next 7 nights in Baltimore

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2339°
  3. SatOct 2440°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 24First frost Nov 21244 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND244 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Md Sci Center Baltimore, 1.3 miles from Baltimore.

Planting calendar for Baltimore

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
TomatoesMar 31–Apr 14
PumpkinsApr 7–Apr 21
SunflowersMar 24–Apr 14
CucumbersApr 7–Apr 14
CornMar 31–Apr 14
Sweet potatoesApr 14–Apr 28
WatermelonApr 7–Apr 21
Green beansMar 31–Apr 21
ZucchiniMar 31–Apr 14
OkraApr 14–Apr 28
PeppersApr 7–Apr 21
BasilMar 31–Apr 14
Butternut squashMar 31–Apr 14
CantaloupeApr 7–Apr 21
EggplantApr 7–Apr 21
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 24–Mar 10
OnionsFeb 10–Mar 3
CarrotsMar 3–Apr 7
LettuceMar 10–Mar 31
BroccoliFeb 24–Mar 10
BeetsFeb 24–Apr 7
PeasFeb 10–Feb 24
CabbageFeb 24–Mar 10
RadishesFeb 17–Mar 31
Brussels sproutsMar 10–Mar 24
SpinachFeb 10–Mar 3
CilantroMar 10–Mar 31
KaleFeb 24–Mar 10
Collard greensFeb 24–Mar 10
TurnipsFeb 24–Mar 10
DillMar 24–Apr 7
CeleryMar 31–Apr 7
CauliflowerMar 10–Mar 24
LeeksMar 10–Mar 24
Swiss chardMar 10–Apr 7
ParsleyMar 10–Mar 31
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 7–Dec 12
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 24–Mar 10
AsparagusFeb 24–Mar 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 8Mar 24Apr 4Nov 7Nov 21Dec 8
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 24Mar 11Mar 26Nov 18Dec 5Dec 25

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 Md Sci Center Baltimore (USW00093784) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Baltimore at 20 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 Baltimore, MD?

The average last frost date in Baltimore is March 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 4.

When is the first frost in Baltimore?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 21. One year in ten it arrives before November 7.

How long is the growing season in Baltimore?

About 244 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Baltimore?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 31 to April 14. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Maryland

All 68 cities in Maryland