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

Planting zone for 21843 — Ocean City, MD

ZIP code 21843 (Ocean City, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 21843 is

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 frostApr 7

First frostNov 2

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD — 3 miles away, elevation 13 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 21843

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 21843 came on Mar 14 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
Mar 14

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.

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 Ocean City, MD.

Soil in Ocean City, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21843 is Brockatonorton — sand, moderately well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.09%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Brockatonorton complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 21843; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ocean City, MD

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights81nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,739base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.6 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: Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD (3 mi away); precipitation: Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

218428a

Ocean City, MD · 2 mi

218117b

Berlin, MD · 8 mi

218137b

Bishopville, MD · 8 mi

218627b

Showell, MD · 8 mi

199448a

Fenwick Island, DE · 10 mi

199757b

Selbyville, DE · 10 mi

218727b

Whaleyville, MD · 13 mi

218417b

Newark, MD · 13 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Ocean City → · Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21843

What planting zone is ZIP code 21843?

ZIP code 21843 (Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21843 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocean City Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ocean City, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21843 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21843?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21843 get?

About 42.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocean City Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ocean City, MD?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21843 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brockatonorton at the center of ZIP 21843: sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ocean City, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21843 came on Mar 14 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ocean City, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21843 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 21843 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 21843 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.