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

Planting zone for Elkton, MD

Elkton, MD is in USDA zone 7b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Elkton on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 7

First frostNov 2

Growing season208 days

7b 2 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 Elkton, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Newark Ag Farm, DE, elevation 105 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 Elkton

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 21921 came on Mar 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

average
Mar 202026
Mar 19

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 Elkton, MD.

Soil in Elkton, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21921 is Chillum — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Chillum silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes.

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 21921; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elkton, MD

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,866base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.6 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: Newark Ag Farm, DE (7 mi away); precipitation: Elkton 4.8 Nw, MD (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Elkton

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about Elkton

What planting zone is Elkton, MD?

Elkton, MD is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Elkton, MD?

The median last spring frost is April 7 and the median first fall frost is November 2 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Ag Farm station).

When can I plant a garden in Elkton, MD?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 24 – Mar 17; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 14, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Elkton, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Elkton, MD get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).