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

Planting zone for 21723 — Cooksville, MD

ZIP code 21723 (Cooksville, Howard County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 21723 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 29
2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cooksville, 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 Cooksville, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Damascus 3 Ssw, MD — 13 miles away, elevation 699 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 21723

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 21723 came on Mar 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 7a in Maryland

612 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 82

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 126

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 203

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 175

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Cooksville, MD.

Soil in Cooksville, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21723 is Baile — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Baile silt loam, 0 to 3 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 21723; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cooksville, MD

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,528base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 25 °F 39°25° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 65 °F 83°65° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 58 °F 76°58° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 47 °F 65°47° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 30 °F 44°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Damascus 3 Ssw, MD (13 mi away); precipitation: Sykesville 1.7 Sse, MD (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

217947b
West Friendship, MD · 3 mi
217977b
Woodbine, MD · 4 mi
217387b
Glenwood, MD · 4 mi
217657b
Lisbon, MD · 4 mi
211047b
Marriottsville, MD · 5 mi
217847a
Sykesville, MD · 5 mi
217377b
Glenelg, MD · 6 mi
210367b
Dayton, MD · 7 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21723

What planting zone is ZIP code 21723?

ZIP code 21723 (Cooksville, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Cooksville, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21723 is April 14; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Damascus 3 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Cooksville, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21723 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21723?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21723 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sykesville 1.7 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Cooksville, MD?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21723 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Baile at the center of ZIP 21723: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cooksville, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21723 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cooksville, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21723 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.