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

Planting zone for 21617 — Centreville, MD

ZIP code 21617 (Centreville, Queen Anne's County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 21617 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 3

First frostNov 5

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Centreville, 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 Centreville, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Chestertown, MD — 12 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 21617

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 21617 came on Mar 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
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 Centreville, MD.

Soil in Centreville, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21617 is Ingleside — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.2%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ingleside sandy loam, 2 to 5 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 21617; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Centreville, MD

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,938base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall17 inper year; 13 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chestertown, MD (12 mi away); precipitation: Chestertown, MD (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

216567b

Price, MD · 3 mi

216907b

Chestertown, MD · 3 mi

216237b

Church Hill, MD · 7 mi

216577b

Queen Anne, MD · 8 mi

216588a

Queenstown, MD · 9 mi

216797b

Wye Mills, MD · 9 mi

216618a

Rock Hall, MD · 10 mi

216447b

Ingleside, MD · 10 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21617

What planting zone is ZIP code 21617?

ZIP code 21617 (Centreville, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Centreville, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21617 is April 3; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chestertown station.

When is the first frost in Centreville, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21617 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21617?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21617 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chestertown station).

How hot do summers get in Centreville, MD?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21617 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ingleside at the center of ZIP 21617: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Centreville, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21617 came on Mar 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Centreville, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21617 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21617 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21617 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.