Frost dates for 20606Abell, MD
The average last spring frost in Abell is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 1 | Nov 10 · Nov 29 · Dec 18 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Abell
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20606 is matched to the NOAA station Patuxent River Nas, MD, 29.5 km away, at 39 ft elevation (26 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patuxent River Nas, MD (used) | 39 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 15 |
| Solomons, MD | 12 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 26 |
| Mechanicsville 5 Ne, MD | 100 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 27 |
| Warsaw 2 Nw, VA | 140 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Abell
- Coltons Point, MD 20626 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Avenue, MD 20609 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Compton, MD 20627 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Bushwood, MD 20618 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Cobb Island, MD 20625 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Rock Point, MD 20682 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Leonardtown, MD 20650 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Clements, MD 20624 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Abell, MD?
- For ZIP code 20606, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Patuxent River Nas, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Abell, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20606?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.