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

Planting zone for 20653 — Lexington Park, MD

ZIP code 20653 (Lexington Park, St. Mary's County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 20653 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 29

First frostNov 15

2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lexington Park, MD…

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 Lexington Park, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station Patuxent River NAS, MD — 4 miles away, elevation 39 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 20653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 20653 came on Mar 10 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Mar 10

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 8a in Maryland

629 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Lexington Park, MD.

Soil in Lexington Park, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 20653 is Beltsville — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Beltsville silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes moderately eroded.

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 20653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lexington Park, MD

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,401base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.9 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: Patuxent River NAS, MD (4 mi away); precipitation: Park Hall 0.2 Sw, MD (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

206678a

Park Hall, MD · 2 mi

206868a

Saint Marys City, MD · 3 mi

206708a

Patuxent River, MD · 3 mi

206348a

Great Mills, MD · 4 mi

206208a

Callaway, MD · 5 mi

206928a

Valley Lee, MD · 5 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 20653

What planting zone is ZIP code 20653?

ZIP code 20653 (Lexington Park, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Lexington Park, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 20653 is March 29; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Patuxent River NAS station.

When is the first frost in Lexington Park, MD?

The median first fall frost near 20653 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 20653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 20653 get?

About 46.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Park Hall 0.2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Lexington Park, MD?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 20653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Beltsville at the center of ZIP 20653: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lexington Park, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 20653 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lexington Park, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 20653 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 20653 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 20653 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.