Last frost date in Bethesda, MD

Average last frost
April 9

In Bethesda, the last spring frost comes around April 9 in an average year. Wait until April 26 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 31, which leaves 202 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 26
Average first frost
Oct 31
Frost-free season
202 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 30
Next 7 nights in Bethesda

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2338°
  3. SatOct 2439°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 9First frost Oct 31202 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND202 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dalecarlia Rsvr, 3.4 miles from Bethesda.

Planting calendar for Bethesda

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 16–Apr 30
PumpkinsApr 23–May 7
SunflowersApr 9–Apr 30
CucumbersApr 23–Apr 30
CornApr 16–Apr 30
Sweet potatoesApr 30–May 14
WatermelonApr 23–May 7
Green beansApr 16–May 7
ZucchiniApr 16–Apr 30
OkraApr 30–May 14
PeppersApr 23–May 7
BasilApr 16–Apr 30
Butternut squashApr 16–Apr 30
CantaloupeApr 23–May 7
EggplantApr 23–May 7
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 12–Mar 26
OnionsFeb 26–Mar 19
CarrotsMar 19–Apr 23
LettuceMar 26–Apr 16
BroccoliMar 12–Mar 26
BeetsMar 12–Apr 23
PeasFeb 26–Mar 12
CabbageMar 12–Mar 26
RadishesMar 5–Apr 16
Brussels sproutsMar 26–Apr 9
SpinachFeb 26–Mar 19
CilantroMar 26–Apr 16
KaleMar 12–Mar 26
Collard greensMar 12–Mar 26
TurnipsMar 12–Mar 26
DillApr 9–Apr 23
CeleryApr 16–Apr 23
CauliflowerMar 26–Apr 9
LeeksMar 26–Apr 9
Swiss chardMar 26–Apr 23
ParsleyMar 26–Apr 16
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 17–Nov 21
GarlicOct 10–Nov 14
Daffodil bulbsOct 3–Nov 14
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 12–Mar 26
AsparagusMar 12–Mar 26

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 27Apr 9Apr 26Oct 16Oct 31Nov 13
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 12Mar 30Apr 12Oct 29Nov 9Nov 27

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 Dalecarlia Rsvr (USC00182325) sits 3.4 miles from the center of Bethesda at 150 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 Bethesda, MD?

The average last frost date in Bethesda is April 9, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 26.

When is the first frost in Bethesda?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 31. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.

How long is the growing season in Bethesda?

About 202 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Bethesda?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 16 to April 30. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Maryland

All 68 cities in Maryland