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

Planting zone for 21869 — Vienna, MD

ZIP code 21869 (Vienna, Dorchester County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 21869 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 frostApr 8
First frostNov 4
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 Vienna, 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 Vienna, MD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Vienna, 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 21869

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 21869 came on Mar 10 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

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).

Soil in Vienna, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21869 is Elkton — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter57%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Elkton mucky silt loam, very wet, 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 21869; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vienna, MD

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,375base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 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
Precipitation46.8 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 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vienna, MD (9 mi away); precipitation: Cambridge 1.4 Wnw, MD (16 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.

218148a
Bivalve, MD · 7 mi
218567b
Quantico, MD · 8 mi
218657b
Tyaskin, MD · 9 mi
216268a
Crapo, MD · 9 mi
218377b
Mardela Springs, MD · 9 mi
218408a
Nanticoke, MD · 10 mi
218307b
Hebron, MD · 10 mi
218357b
Linkwood, MD · 10 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21869

What planting zone is ZIP code 21869?

ZIP code 21869 (Vienna, 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 Vienna, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21869 is April 8; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vienna station.

When is the first frost in Vienna, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21869 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21869?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 21869 get?

About 46.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cambridge 1.4 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Vienna, MD?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 21869 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elkton at the center of ZIP 21869: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vienna, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21869 came on Mar 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vienna, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21869 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.