In Baltimore, the average last spring frost is Apr 5 and the average first fall frost is Nov 5, a growing season of about 214 days (zone 8a). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 22 and move them outside from Apr 19. Plant garlic Nov 12 to Nov 19, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Baltimore at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Apr 5 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 5 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 214 days
- Hardiness zone
- 8a (USDA)
- Weather stations
- MD Sci Ctr Baltimore, MD; Cylburn, MD; and Baltimore Wash Intl AP, MD, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Baltimore this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 25
What to plant in Baltimore this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 22
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 22
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 22
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 22
Coming up in early March: start kale indoors (Mar 1), start broccoli indoors (Mar 1), start cabbage indoors (Mar 1) and start basil indoors (Mar 8).
What to plant in Baltimore this month (March)
- Start kale indoors: Mar 1
- Start broccoli indoors: Mar 1
- Start cabbage indoors: Mar 1
- Start basil indoors: Mar 8
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 15
- Direct sow peas: Mar 15
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 15
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 22
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 22
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 22
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 22
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 22
- Direct sow beets: Mar 29
- Transplant kale: Mar 29
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 29
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 29
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 29
Coming up in early April: transplant onions (Apr 5), transplant cucumbers (Apr 12), transplant zucchini (Apr 12), transplant winter squash (Apr 12) and direct sow beans (Apr 12).
What to plant in Baltimore this month (April)
- Transplant onions: Apr 5
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 12
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 12
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 12
- Direct sow beans: Apr 12
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 19
- Transplant peppers: Apr 19
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 19
- Transplant basil: Apr 19
What to plant in Baltimore this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Baltimore in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Baltimore this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Baltimore in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Baltimore this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Baltimore in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Baltimore this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 27
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 27
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 10).
What to plant in Baltimore this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 10
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 17
Coming up in early October: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Oct 1).
What to plant in Baltimore this month (October)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Oct 1
Coming up in early November: plant garlic (Nov 12).
What to plant in Baltimore this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 12 to Nov 19
What to plant in Baltimore this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Baltimore in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 25.
Baltimore planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Feb 22 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 | Transplant Apr 19 | From Jul 3 |
| Basil | Mar 8 | Transplant Apr 19 | From May 31 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 25 | Transplant Apr 5 | From Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Transplant Mar 22Fall: direct sow Sep 10 | From May 1Fall: from Oct 20 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 15Fall: direct sow Sep 17 | From Apr 24Fall: from Oct 27 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 15Fall: direct sow Aug 27 | From May 14Fall: from Oct 26 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 15Fall: direct sow Oct 1 | From Apr 9Fall: from Oct 26 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 22 | From May 31 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 29 | From May 23 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Transplant Mar 29Fall: direct sow Aug 27 | From May 23Fall: from Oct 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Transplant Mar 29 | From Jun 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Transplant Mar 29 | From Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 | Transplant Apr 12 | From Jun 6 |
| Zucchini | Mar 22 | Transplant Apr 12 | From Jun 1 |
| Winter squash | Mar 22 | Transplant Apr 12 | From Jul 11 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 12 | From Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 29 | From Jun 17 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 12 to Nov 19 | Around Jun 28 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Baltimore's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Baltimore
Plant garlic Nov 12 to Nov 19. That is one to two weeks after Baltimore's average first fall frost of Nov 5, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 28 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Baltimore:
- Peas: sow Aug 27, ready from about Oct 26
- Kale: sow Aug 27, ready from about Oct 21
- Lettuce: sow Sep 10, ready from about Oct 20
- Spinach: sow Sep 17, ready from about Oct 27
- Radishes: sow Oct 1, ready from about Oct 26
Nearby planting calendars
Baltimore planting questions
When is the last frost in Baltimore?
The average last spring frost in Baltimore is Apr 5, and the average first fall frost is Nov 5, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Baltimore?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 22, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 19, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Baltimore in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 12 to Nov 19. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 27, lettuce around Sep 10, spinach around Sep 17 and radishes around Oct 1.