Frost dates for 21538Kitzmiller, MD
The average last spring frost in Kitzmiller is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 17 · May 31 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 6 · May 23 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kitzmiller
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21538 is matched to the NOAA station Oakland 1 Se, MD, 15.3 km away, at 2,420 ft elevation (323 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland 1 Se, MD (used) | 2,420 ft | May 6 | Oct 9 |
| Savage Rvr Dam, MD | 1,495 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Keyser 2 Ssw, WV | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Sines Deep Creek, MD | 2,040 ft | May 9 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Kitzmiller
- Swanton, MD 21561 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Oakland, MD 21550 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Elk Garden, WV 26717 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Bloomington, MD 21523 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Luke, MD 21540 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- New Creek, WV 26743 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Piedmont, WV 26750 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Mount Storm, WV 26739 · last May 13, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kitzmiller, MD?
- For ZIP code 21538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oakland 1 Se, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Kitzmiller, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21538?
- 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.