Frost dates for 21784Sykesville, MD
The average last spring frost in Sykesville is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 22 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sykesville
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21784 is matched to the NOAA station Hanover 4 Sw, PA, 35.3 km away, at 558 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanover 4 Sw, PA (used) | 558 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Cylburn, MD | 235 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 7 |
| Damascus 3 Ssw, MD | 700 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Millers 4 Ne, MD | 860 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Sykesville
- Finksburg, MD 21048 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Westminster, MD 21157 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- New Windsor, MD 21776 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Reisterstown, MD 21136 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Glyndon, MD 21071 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Marriottsville, MD 21104 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Woodbine, MD 21797 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Cooksville, MD 21723 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sykesville, MD?
- For ZIP code 21784, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hanover 4 Sw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Sykesville, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21784?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.