Frost dates for 20740College Park, MD
The average last spring frost in College Park is April 10 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 10 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for College Park
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 | Mar 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20740 is matched to the NOAA station Beltsville, MD, 3.8 km away, at 145 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beltsville, MD (used) | 145 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Natl Arboretum Dc, MD | 50 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Laurel 3 W, MD | 400 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 9 |
| Glenn Dale Bell Stn, MD | 150 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near College Park
- College Park, MD 20742 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Hyattsville, MD 20788 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Greenbelt, MD 20770 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Riverdale, MD 20737 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Beltsville, MD 20704 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Silver Spring, MD 20903 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Bladensburg, MD 20710 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Takoma Park, MD 20912 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in College Park, MD?
- For ZIP code 20740, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beltsville, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in College Park, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20740?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.