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

Planting zone for 20732 — Chesapeake Beach, MD

ZIP code 20732 (Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 20732 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 frostApr 17

First frostOct 27

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 Chesapeake Beach, 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 Chesapeake Beach, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Mechanicsville 5 Ne, MD — 15 miles away, elevation 102 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 20732

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 20732 came on Mar 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 11

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 Chesapeake Beach, MD.

Soil in Chesapeake Beach, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 20732 is Dodon — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.42%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dodon and Marr soils, 15 to 25 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 20732; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chesapeake Beach, MD

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.8 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: Mechanicsville 5 Ne, MD (15 mi away); precipitation: Huntingtown 2.9 Nnw, MD (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

206897b

Sunderland, MD · 3 mi

207148a

North Beach, MD · 3 mi

207367b

Owings, MD · 5 mi

206397b

Huntingtown, MD · 5 mi

207587b

Friendship, MD · 6 mi

207798a

Tracys Landing, MD · 7 mi

207547b

Dunkirk, MD · 8 mi

206787b

Prince Frederick, MD · 9 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 20732

What planting zone is ZIP code 20732?

ZIP code 20732 (Chesapeake Beach, 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 Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 20732 is April 17; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mechanicsville 5 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The median first fall frost near 20732 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 20732?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 20732 get?

About 47.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Huntingtown 2.9 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 20732 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dodon at the center of ZIP 20732: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chesapeake Beach, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 20732 came on Mar 11 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 20732 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 20732 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 20732 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.