Frost dates for 20687Scotland, MD
The average last spring frost in Scotland is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 27 · Apr 10 · Apr 24 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 11 | Oct 29 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 19 · Apr 1 | Nov 11 · Nov 29 · Dec 15 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scotland
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20687 is matched to the NOAA station St Inigoes Webster Nolf, MD, 9.7 km away, at 21 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Inigoes Webster Nolf, MD (used) | 21 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 14 |
| Patuxent River Nas, MD | 39 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 15 |
| Solomons, MD | 12 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 26 |
| Warsaw 2 Nw, VA | 140 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Scotland
- Ridge, MD 20680 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Dameron, MD 20628 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Saint Inigoes, MD 20684 · last Mar 30, first Nov 14
- Saint Marys City, MD 20686 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Drayden, MD 20630 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Piney Point, MD 20674 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Park Hall, MD 20667 · last Mar 29, first Nov 15
- Lottsburg, VA 22511 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scotland, MD?
- For ZIP code 20687, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Inigoes Webster Nolf, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Scotland, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20687?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.