Frost dates for 21802Salisbury, MD
The average last spring frost in Salisbury is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 26 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salisbury
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21802 is matched to the NOAA station Salisbury Wicomico Rgnl Ap, MD, 11.5 km away, at 48 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury Wicomico Rgnl Ap, MD (used) | 48 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Salisbury 2N, MD | 20 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
| Salisbury, MD | 10 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 7 |
| Vienna, MD | 10 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Salisbury
- Salisbury, MD 21803 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Hebron, MD 21830 · last Apr 8, first Nov 4
- Fruitland, MD 21826 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Delmar, MD 21875 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Eden, MD 21822 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Allen, MD 21810 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Parsonsburg, MD 21849 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Mardela Springs, MD 21837 · last Apr 8, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salisbury, MD?
- For ZIP code 21802, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salisbury Wicomico Rgnl Ap, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Salisbury, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21802?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.