Frost dates for 20912Takoma Park, MD
The average last spring frost in Takoma 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 Takoma 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 20912 is matched to the NOAA station Beltsville, MD, 8 km away, at 145 ft elevation (12 ft lower 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 |
| Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD | 150 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Laurel 3 W, MD | 400 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Takoma Park
- Takoma Park, MD 20913 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Hyattsville, MD 20787 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Silver Spring, MD 20907 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Washington, DC 20012 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- College Park, MD 20742 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Mount Rainier, MD 20712 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Brentwood, MD 20722 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Chevy Chase, MD 20825 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Takoma Park, MD?
- For ZIP code 20912, 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 Takoma 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 20912?
- 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.