Cumberland, MD Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 24
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
192 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 2 Apr 15 May 5
First fall frost Nov 6 Oct 24 Oct 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 3 · first Nov 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Cumberland 2 station (1 km from central Cumberland). "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 Cumberland

Computed from Cumberland's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 18 – Mar 4 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🫑 Peppers Feb 4 – Feb 18 Apr 29 – May 6
🥬 Lettuce Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1 Mar 18 – Apr 15
🫛 Peas Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥕 Carrots Mar 25 – Apr 15
🥦 Broccoli Feb 25 – Mar 11 Mar 25 – Apr 8
🥬 Kale Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1 Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 18 – Mar 25 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🥒 Zucchini Mar 18 – Mar 25 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 22 – Apr 29
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 22 – Apr 29
🌿 Basil Mar 4 – Mar 18 Apr 22 – Apr 29 Apr 29 – May 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 12 – Oct 10

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 Cumberland's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Cumberland

Roughly 192 frost-free days gives Cumberland gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 15; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 24 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Cumberland, MD?

The average last spring frost in Cumberland is around Apr 15, 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 Cumberland, MD?

The average first fall frost in Cumberland arrives around Oct 24. 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 Cumberland?

About 192 frost-free days on average, from Apr 15 to Oct 24. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Cumberland in?

USDA zone 6b 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.