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

Planting zone for 21601 — Easton, MD

ZIP code 21601 (Easton, Talbot County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 21601 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 1
First frostNov 7
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 Easton, 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 Easton, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 24
Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Royal Oak 2 Ssw, MD — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 21601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 21601 came on Mar 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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).

Soil in Easton, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21601 is Woodstown — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.9%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodstown loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain.

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 21601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Easton, MD

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 29 °F 45°29° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 56 °F 75°56° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 70 °F 88°70° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 33 °F 49°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 AugSeptember: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Royal Oak 2 Ssw, MD (7 mi away); precipitation: Easton 2.4 Se, MD (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

216538a
Newcomb, MD · 6 mi
216548a
Oxford, MD · 7 mi
216257b
Cordova, MD · 8 mi
216638a
Saint Michaels, MD · 8 mi
216097b
Bethlehem, MD · 8 mi
216628a
Royal Oak, MD · 8 mi
216797b
Wye Mills, MD · 9 mi
216557b
Preston, MD · 10 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21601

What planting zone is ZIP code 21601?

ZIP code 21601 (Easton, 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 Easton, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21601 is April 1; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Royal Oak 2 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Easton, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21601 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21601 get?

About 47.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Easton 2.4 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Easton, MD?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodstown at the center of ZIP 21601: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Easton, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21601 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 Easton, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21601 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21601 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21601 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.