Frost dates for 21208Pikesville, MD
The average last spring frost in Pikesville is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 2 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 2 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 22 · Apr 3 | Nov 6 · Nov 20 · Dec 7 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pikesville
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21208 is matched to the NOAA station Cylburn, MD, 7 km away, at 235 ft elevation (270 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cylburn, MD (used) | 235 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 7 |
| Md Sci Ctr Baltimore, MD | 20 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 21 |
| Baltimore Wash Intl Ap, MD | 156 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Laurel 3 W, MD | 400 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Pikesville
- Pikesville, MD 21282 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
- Stevenson, MD 21153 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
- Baltimore, MD 21209 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
- Gwynn Oak, MD 21207 · last Mar 24, first Nov 21
- Brooklandville, MD 21022 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
- Randallstown, MD 21133 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Windsor Mill, MD 21244 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Owings Mills, MD 21117 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pikesville, MD?
- For ZIP code 21208, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cylburn, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Pikesville, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21208?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.