Frost dates for 21734Funkstown, MD
The average last spring frost in Funkstown is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 11 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Funkstown
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21734 is matched to the NOAA station Hagerstown 1 E, MD, 3.5 km away, at 532 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown 1 E, MD (used) | 532 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| Hagerstown Washington Co Ap, MD | 698 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Smithsburg 2Nw, MD | 670 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Catoctin Mtn Park, MD | 1,610 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Funkstown
- Hagerstown, MD 21740 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Boonsboro, MD 21713 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Saint James, MD 21781 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Chewsville, MD 21721 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Fairplay, MD 21733 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Williamsport, MD 21795 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Maugansville, MD 21767 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Cavetown, MD 21720 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Funkstown, MD?
- For ZIP code 21734, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hagerstown 1 E, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Funkstown, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21734?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.