Frost dates for 21922Elkton, MD
The average last spring frost in Elkton is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 8 · Apr 22 · May 9 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 27 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkton
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 21922 is matched to the NOAA station Newark Ag Farm, DE, 10.2 km away, at 106 ft elevation (80 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark Ag Farm, DE (used) | 106 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Wilmington New Castle Co Ap, DE | 79 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Octoraro Lake, PA | 260 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Avondale 2 N, PA | 400 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Elkton
- Elkton, MD 21921 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Childs, MD 21916 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Elk Mills, MD 21920 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- North East, MD 21901 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
- Chesapeake City, MD 21915 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Newark, DE 19717 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Kirkwood, DE 19708 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Charlestown, MD 21914 · last Apr 3, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkton, MD?
- For ZIP code 21922, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newark Ag Farm, DE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Elkton, MD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 21922?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.