Annapolis, MD Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Annapolis, Maryland.
Gardening in Annapolis
Maryland's capital sits on the Chesapeake Bay, where maritime influence and colonial heritage create a gardening culture with deep roots and moderate climate.
Zone 7b with 220 frost-free days. The Bay moderates temperatures beautifully — milder winters, cooler summers. Coastal soil varies from sandy to clay depending on elevation.
The Naval Academy's grounds are immaculate, and Annapolis' historic neighborhoods maintain garden traditions that date to the Colonial era. The Chesapeake's oyster heritage is the culinary counterpart to the garden culture.
What This Means for Annapolis Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Annapolis is around March 30, and the average first fall frost arrives around November 5. That gives you approximately 220 frost-free days to work with.
That's a generous season. You have time for full-size tomatoes, long-season peppers, and even watermelons without the anxiety of racing the frost. Start warm-season seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost to hit the ground running. Fall planting is your second opportunity — garlic, kale, lettuce, and broccoli all go in 8-10 weeks before your first frost for harvest into late autumn.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Annapolis area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Annapolis
Annapolis's 220-day growing season is generous — long enough for two full growing windows (spring and fall) with warm-season crops between them. You can grow the full range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers with proper timing. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties for midsummer and cool-season crops for extended fall harvests. Recommended starting points: tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash, garlic, kale, and sunflowers.
See the full Maryland planting guide for all 40 plants: Maryland Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Annapolis.
More About Zone 7B
Annapolis is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7B, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 5°F to 10°F. View the full Zone 7B planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Maryland: Maryland Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Annapolis area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Annapolis (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Cool-season crops go in 3-4 weeks before your last frost (March 30). Warm-season crops wait until 2 weeks after. You have time for a fall round too — plant cool-season crops again in late summer for harvest into autumn. Enter your zip code for exact dates.