Last frost date in Towson, MD

Average last frost
April 2

In Towson, the last spring frost comes around April 2 in an average year. Wait until April 13 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 7, which leaves 220 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 27 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 13
Average first frost
Nov 7
Frost-free season
220 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 22
Next 7 nights in Towson

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is November 7.

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2437°
  4. SunOct 2539°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 2First frost Nov 7220 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND220 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Cylburn, 3.4 miles from Towson.

Planting calendar for Towson

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 24–Nov 28
GarlicOct 17–Nov 21
Daffodil bulbsOct 10–Nov 21
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 20Apr 2Apr 13Oct 27Nov 7Nov 21
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 8Mar 22Apr 3Nov 6Nov 20Dec 7

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 Cylburn (USC00182308) sits 3.4 miles from the center of Towson at 235 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 Towson, MD?

The average last frost date in Towson is April 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 13.

When is the first frost in Towson?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 7. One year in ten it arrives before October 27.

How long is the growing season in Towson?

About 220 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Towson?

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

Nearby in Maryland

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