Annapolis, MD Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Annapolis garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 20
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
242 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
7b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 8 Mar 23 Apr 6
First fall frost Dec 5 Nov 20 Nov 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 12 · first Dec 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Annapolis Naf station (2 km from central Annapolis). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Annapolis

Computed from Annapolis's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 26 – Feb 9 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫑 Peppers Jan 12 – Jan 26 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥬 Lettuce Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 23
🫛 Peas Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥕 Carrots Mar 2 – Mar 23
🥦 Broccoli Feb 2 – Feb 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥬 Kale Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🥒 Zucchini Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌿 Basil Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 9 – Nov 6

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Annapolis's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Annapolis

With roughly 242 frost-free days, Annapolis gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 20 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Annapolis, MD?

The average last spring frost in Annapolis is around Mar 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Annapolis, MD?

The average first fall frost in Annapolis arrives around Nov 20. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Annapolis?

About 242 frost-free days on average, from Mar 23 to Nov 20. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Annapolis in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.