Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Baltimore, MD

Baltimore, MD is in USDA zones 7b to 8a across its 38 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 21.

Baltimore on the zone map

Outlined: its 23 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones7b–8a5 to 15 °F

ZIP codes38

Last frostMar 24

First frostNov 21

Growing season244 days

7b 20 ZIPs 8a 18 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Baltimore, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season244 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 11 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Md Sci Center Baltimore, MD, elevation 20 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Baltimore

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 21) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 21201 came on Mar 12 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 12

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7b in Maryland

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Baltimore, MD.

Soil in Baltimore, MD

The center of ZIP 21201 is mapped as Urban land, 0 to 15 percent slopes: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 21201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Baltimore, MD

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,686base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Md Sci Center Baltimore, MD (within 1 mile); precipitation: Md Sci Center Baltimore, MD (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Questions about Baltimore

What planting zone is Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore, MD is in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 8a on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F; 8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Baltimore, MD?

The median last spring frost is March 24 and the median first fall frost is November 21 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Md Sci Center Baltimore station).

When can I plant a garden in Baltimore, MD?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 10 – Mar 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 31, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Baltimore, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Baltimore, MD get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).

Planting zone for Baltimore, MD

Baltimore on the zone map

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

Frost dates in Baltimore, MD

When to plant vegetables in Baltimore

When spring arrived in 2026

Native plants for zone 7b in Maryland

Trees 83

Shrubs 127

Wildflowers & perennials 206

Grasses 176

Vines 12

Soil in Baltimore, MD

Climate in Baltimore, MD

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

ZIP codes in Baltimore

Questions about Baltimore