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

Planting zone for 21817 — Crisfield, MD

ZIP code 21817 (Crisfield, Somerset County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 21817 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 31
First frostNov 11
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crisfield, 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 Crisfield, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA — 20 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 21817

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 21817 came on Mar 9 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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 8a in Maryland

629 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 84

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 129

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 209

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 181

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 Crisfield, MD.

Soil in Crisfield, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21817 is Fallsington — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter68%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Othello-Fallsington complex, 0 to 2 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 21817; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crisfield, MD

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,181base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.2 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 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 46 °F 64°46° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 56 °F 73°56° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 65 °F 81°65° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 70 °F 86°70° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 69 °F 84°69° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 63 °F 79°63° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 41 °F 59°41° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA (20 mi away); precipitation: Princess Anne 4.4 Wsw, MD (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

218388a
Marion Station, MD · 6 mi
234278a
Saxis, VA · 9 mi
234268a
Sanford, VA · 9 mi
218678a
Upper Fairmount, MD · 9 mi
218717b
Westover, MD · 10 mi
218668a
Tylerton, MD · 10 mi
218577b
Rehobeth, MD · 10 mi
218367b
Manokin, MD · 10 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21817

What planting zone is ZIP code 21817?

ZIP code 21817 (Crisfield, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Crisfield, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21817 is March 31; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallops Island Flight Fac station.

When is the first frost in Crisfield, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21817 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21817?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21817 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princess Anne 4.4 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Crisfield, MD?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21817 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fallsington at the center of ZIP 21817: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Crisfield, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21817 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crisfield, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21817 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.