Frost dates for 21841Newark, MD
The average last spring frost in Newark is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (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 7 · Apr 23 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 10 · Apr 28 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 12 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Newark
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 11 |
| 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) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21841 is matched to the NOAA station Snow Hill 4 N, MD, 7.8 km away, at 30 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Hill 4 N, MD (used) | 30 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Ocean City Muni Ap, MD | 12 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Assateague, MD | 10 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 15 |
| Salisbury Wicomico Rgnl Ap, MD | 48 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Newark
- Powellville, MD 21852 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Snow Hill, MD 21863 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Berlin, MD 21811 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Willards, MD 21874 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Pittsville, MD 21850 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Showell, MD 21862 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Whaleyville, MD 21872 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Girdletree, MD 21829 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Newark, MD?
- For ZIP code 21841, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Snow Hill 4 N, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Newark, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21841?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.