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

Planting zone for 21787 — Taneytown, MD

ZIP code 21787 (Taneytown, Carroll County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 21787 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 22

First frostOct 20

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 Taneytown, 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 Taneytown, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Emmitsburg 2 Se, MD — 6 miles away, elevation 404 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 21787

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 21787 came on Mar 18 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 18

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 Taneytown, MD.

Soil in Taneytown, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21787 is Penn — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Penn channery loam, 3 to 8 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 21787; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Taneytown, MD

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,329base 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

Precipitation45.4 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: Emmitsburg 2 Se, MD (6 mi away); precipitation: Taneytown 4.1 Ne, MD (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

173407a

Littlestown, PA · 6 mi

217577a

Keymar, MD · 7 mi

211587a

Westminster, MD · 7 mi

217277a

Emmitsburg, MD · 8 mi

217787a

Rocky Ridge, MD · 9 mi

217597a

Ladiesburg, MD · 10 mi

217917a

Union Bridge, MD · 10 mi

217757a

New Midway, MD · 10 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21787

What planting zone is ZIP code 21787?

ZIP code 21787 (Taneytown, 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 Taneytown, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21787 is April 22; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Emmitsburg 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Taneytown, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21787 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21787?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21787 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taneytown 4.1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Taneytown, MD?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21787 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penn at the center of ZIP 21787: channery loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Taneytown, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21787 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Taneytown, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21787 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21787 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21787 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.