Frost dates for 21523Bloomington, MD
The average last spring frost in Bloomington is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 25 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bloomington
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21523 is matched to the NOAA station Keyser 2 Ssw, WV, 9.8 km away, at 965 ft elevation (75 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyser 2 Ssw, WV (used) | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Savage Rvr Dam, MD | 1,495 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Frostburg 2, MD | 2,170 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 18 |
| Oakland 1 Se, MD | 2,420 ft | May 6 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Bloomington
- Luke, MD 21540 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Piedmont, WV 26750 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Westernport, MD 21562 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Barton, MD 21521 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
- Lonaconing, MD 21539 · last Apr 29, first Oct 18
- Swanton, MD 21561 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Kitzmiller, MD 21538 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- New Creek, WV 26743 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bloomington, MD?
- For ZIP code 21523, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Keyser 2 Ssw, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Bloomington, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21523?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.