Frost dates for 21521Barton, MD
The average last spring frost in Barton is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 24 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 6 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Barton
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21521 is matched to the NOAA station Frostburg 2, MD, 16.1 km away, at 2,170 ft elevation (254 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg 2, MD (used) | 2,170 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 18 |
| Savage Rvr Dam, MD | 1,495 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Keyser 2 Ssw, WV | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Cumberland 2, MD | 730 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Barton
- Westernport, MD 21562 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Lonaconing, MD 21539 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
- Piedmont, WV 26750 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Luke, MD 21540 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Bloomington, MD 21523 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Midland, MD 21542 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Rawlings, MD 21557 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Midlothian, MD 21543 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Barton, MD?
- For ZIP code 21521, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Frostburg 2, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Barton, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21521?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.