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

Planting zone for 21872 — Whaleyville, MD

ZIP code 21872 (Whaleyville, Worcester County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 21872 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 7

First frostNov 2

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 Whaleyville, 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 Whaleyville, 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 — 12 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 21872

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 21872 came on Mar 10 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
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 Whaleyville, MD.

Soil in Whaleyville, MD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 21872 is Hurlock — loamy sand, poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hurlock loamy sand, 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 21872; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whaleyville, 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 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

Precipitation52.8 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: Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD (12 mi away); precipitation: Bishopville 3.1 E, MD (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Pittsville, MD · 6 mi

218137b

Bishopville, MD · 6 mi

199457b

Frankford, DE · 7 mi

218527b

Powellville, MD · 7 mi

218117b

Berlin, MD · 8 mi

199757b

Selbyville, DE · 8 mi

Maryland planting zones →

Questions about 21872

What planting zone is ZIP code 21872?

ZIP code 21872 (Whaleyville, 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 Whaleyville, MD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 21872 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 Whaleyville, MD?

The median first fall frost near 21872 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 21872?

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 21872 get?

About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishopville 3.1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Whaleyville, 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 21872 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hurlock at the center of ZIP 21872: loamy sand, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Whaleyville, MD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 21872 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Whaleyville, MD?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 21872 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.