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

Planting zone for 21766 — Little Orleans, MD

ZIP code 21766 (Little Orleans, Allegany County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 21766 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 23

First frostOct 21

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 Little Orleans, 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 Little Orleans, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Cacapon St Pk #2, WV — 12 miles away, elevation 958 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 21766

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 21766 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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 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.

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 Little Orleans, MD.

Soil in Little Orleans, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21766 is Blairton — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Blairton silt loam, 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 21766; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Little Orleans, MD

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,173base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.5 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: Cacapon St Pk #2, WV (12 mi away); precipitation: Rainsburg 9.0 Sse, PA (8 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.

Flintstone, MD · 8 mi

254227a

Great Cacapon, WV · 9 mi

215557a

Oldtown, MD · 11 mi

155356b

Clearville, PA · 11 mi

254117a

Berkeley Springs, WV · 12 mi

172677a

Warfordsburg, PA · 12 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21766

What planting zone is ZIP code 21766?

ZIP code 21766 (Little Orleans, 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 Little Orleans, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21766 is April 23; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cacapon St Pk #2 station.

When is the first frost in Little Orleans, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21766 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21766?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21766 get?

About 41.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rainsburg 9.0 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Little Orleans, MD?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21766 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blairton at the center of ZIP 21766: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Little Orleans, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21766 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Little Orleans, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21766 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21766 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21766 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.