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

Planting zone for 21762 — Libertytown, MD

ZIP code 21762 (Libertytown, Frederick County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 21762 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 2
First frostNov 6
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Libertytown, 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 Libertytown, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Frederick Police Brks, MD — 11 miles away, elevation 381 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 21762

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 21762 came on Mar 13 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Libertytown, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21762 is Edgemont — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Edgemont-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 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 21762; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Libertytown, MD

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low27 °Faverage low, January
Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,174base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Frederick Police Brks, MD (11 mi away); precipitation: New Market 4.8 Wsw, MD (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

217927b
Unionville, MD · 3 mi
217987a
Woodsboro, MD · 5 mi
217917a
Union Bridge, MD · 5 mi
217747a
New Market, MD · 5 mi
217937a
Walkersville, MD · 5 mi
217017a
Frederick, MD · 5 mi
217757a
New Midway, MD · 6 mi
217597a
Ladiesburg, MD · 7 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21762

What planting zone is ZIP code 21762?

ZIP code 21762 (Libertytown, 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 Libertytown, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21762 is April 2; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frederick Police Brks station.

When is the first frost in Libertytown, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21762 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21762?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21762 get?

About 46.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Market 4.8 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Libertytown, MD?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21762 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edgemont at the center of ZIP 21762: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Libertytown, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21762 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Libertytown, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21762 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21762 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21762 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.