Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 21619 (Chester, MD)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Stevensville 2SW, MD (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)228 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Powder Mill (32 mi).
4-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Powder Mill (32 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 21619 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 63°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 14 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 12: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 15 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 8 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 29 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 12 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 29 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 29 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 18 | Nov 25 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 21619
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 12). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 1–15 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 1–15 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 1–15 | Mar 8–29 (transplant) Mar 1–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 15–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 1–15 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 1–15 | Mar 1–29 (transplant) Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 4–18 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 1–15 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Mar 15–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 15–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 4–18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 15–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 4–18 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 19–May 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 1–8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 1–8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 1–8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 1–8 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 1–8 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 4–18 | Apr 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 15–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Stevensville 2SW, MD (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00188557), elevation 10 ft, 4.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis Naf, MD | 11 mi | Mar 23 | Nov 20 |
| Annapolis Police Brks, MD | 13 mi | Mar 27 | Nov 13 |
| Royal Oak 2 SSW, MD | 16 mi | Apr 1 | Nov 7 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 21619
When is the last frost in 21619?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 21619 is March 29. For a more cautious planting date, use April 8, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 21619?
The average first fall freeze is November 12. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.
What hardiness zone is 21619?
ZIP 21619 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 21619 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
21638 Grasonville 21666 Stevensville 21658 Queenstown 21624 21679 21647 21663 St. Michaels 21409 Cape St. Claire
Other ZIP codes in Queen Anne's County
21607 21617 21623 21628 21638 21644 21649 21657 21658 21666 21668 All Queen Anne's County frost dates · Maryland frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.