Frost dates for 21522Bittinger, MD
The average last spring frost in Bittinger is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | May 1 · May 19 · Jun 2 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bittinger
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 | Apr 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21522 is matched to the NOAA station Terra Alta #1, WV, 32.7 km away, at 2,630 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Alta #1, WV (used) | 2,630 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
| Savage Rvr Dam, MD | 1,495 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Sines Deep Creek, MD | 2,040 ft | May 9 | Oct 11 |
| Confluence 1 Sw Dam, PA | 1,490 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Bittinger
- Accident, MD 21520 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Grantsville, MD 21536 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
- Swanton, MD 21561 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Mc Henry, MD 21541 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Bloomington, MD 21523 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Springs, PA 15562 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Barton, MD 21521 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
- Friendsville, MD 21531 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bittinger, MD?
- For ZIP code 21522, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Terra Alta #1, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Bittinger, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21522?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.