California, MD planting zone & frost dates
California is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 22 and the first fall frost around November 26, for a growing season of about 248 days.
Planting calendar for California
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 22) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 26).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 6 | Mar 22 | Apr 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 12 | Nov 26 | Nov 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 10.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in California
- 20619 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Lexington Park zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- Chesapeake Ranch Estates zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- Cambridge zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- St. Charles zone 7b, last frost Apr 17
- Saint Charles zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Waldorf zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Rosaryville zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
Questions
What growing zone is California, MD?
California is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in California?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in California is March 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in California?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 29 – Apr 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Solomons, MD (USC00188405), 5.3 km (3.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 4 m, based on 13 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.