Mechanicsville 5 NE, MD Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Mechanicsville 5 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
193 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 31 Apr 17 May 2
First fall frost Nov 9 Oct 27 Oct 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 2 · first Nov 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MECHANICSVILLE 5 NE station. "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 Mechanicsville 5 NE

Computed from Mechanicsville 5 NE'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 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 24 – May 1
🫑 Peppers Feb 6 – Feb 20 May 1 – May 8
🥬 Lettuce Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Mar 20 – Apr 17
🫛 Peas Mar 6 – Mar 20
🥕 Carrots Mar 27 – Apr 17
🥦 Broccoli Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥬 Kale Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Mar 20 – Apr 3
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 20 – Mar 27 Apr 24 – May 1 Apr 24 – May 1
🥒 Zucchini Mar 20 – Mar 27 Apr 24 – May 1 Apr 24 – May 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 24 – May 1
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 24 – May 1
🌿 Basil Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 24 – May 1 May 1 – May 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 15 – Oct 13

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 Mechanicsville 5 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Mechanicsville 5 NE

Roughly 193 frost-free days gives Mechanicsville 5 NE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 17; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 27 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Mechanicsville 5 NE, MD?

The average last spring frost in Mechanicsville 5 NE is around Apr 17, 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 Mechanicsville 5 NE, MD?

The average first fall frost in Mechanicsville 5 NE arrives around Oct 27. 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 Mechanicsville 5 NE?

About 193 frost-free days on average, from Apr 17 to Oct 27. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Mechanicsville 5 NE 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.