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

Planting zone for 21829 — Girdletree, MD

ZIP code 21829 (Girdletree, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 21829 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostMar 31

First frostNov 15

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Girdletree, 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 Girdletree, 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 15median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Assateague, MD — 9 miles away, elevation 10 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 21829

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 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 21829 came on Mar 10 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

average
Mar 52026
Mar 10

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 7b in Maryland

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Maryland, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Girdletree, MD.

Soil in Girdletree, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21829 is Othello — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.22%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Othello silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area.

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 21829; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Girdletree, MD

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,133base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 49 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

Precipitation48.8 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: Assateague, MD (9 mi away); precipitation: Snow Hill 0.4 S, MD (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

218648a

Stockton, MD · 5 mi

233568a

Greenbackville, VA · 6 mi

218637b

Snow Hill, MD · 6 mi

218517b

Pocomoke City, MD · 9 mi

Chincoteague Island, VA · 10 mi

233378a

Wallops Island, VA · 12 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21829

What planting zone is ZIP code 21829?

ZIP code 21829 (Girdletree, MD) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Girdletree, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21829 is March 31; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Assateague station.

When is the first frost in Girdletree, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21829 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21829?

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 21829 get?

About 48.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Snow Hill 0.4 S station).

How hot do summers get in Girdletree, MD?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21829 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Othello at the center of ZIP 21829: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Girdletree, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21829 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Girdletree, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21829 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.