Frost dates for 21911Rising Sun, MD
The average last spring frost in Rising Sun is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 21 · May 4 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rising Sun
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21911 is matched to the NOAA station Octoraro Lake, PA, 11.9 km away, at 260 ft elevation (147 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octoraro Lake, PA (used) | 260 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Conowingo Dam, MD | 40 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
| Newark Ag Farm, DE | 106 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Aberdeen Phillips Fld, MD | 57 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Rising Sun
- Colora, MD 21917 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Nottingham, PA 19362 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Port Deposit, MD 21904 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Conowingo, MD 21918 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Oxford, PA 19363 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- North East, MD 21901 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Perryville, MD 21903 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Charlestown, MD 21914 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rising Sun, MD?
- For ZIP code 21911, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Octoraro Lake, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Rising Sun, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21911?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.