If you are preparing a Spring Garden from seed, you will need to start your seeds indoors well ahead of time. 

Maryland covers four different USDA Hardiness Zones. Start times for vegetable planting varies by zone. Be sure to identify which zone you live in so you can plant vegetables at the right time, when the weather won’t damage the growth process. Zone 7 encompasses most of the middle and southern part of Maryland including Montgomery County. 

Maryland’s frost dates vary, beginning as early as mid-to-late October. The state’s last frost dates range from early April to late April. There is an average of 170 days for the growing season between the last and first frost dates.  

Use the list below or the Chart for Zone 7 planting to guide you. 

Zone 7:  

  • March: Plant broccoli, cauliflower and peas outside. Begin these plants inside in February. In March, begin tomatoes, spinach, onions, lettuce, kale, carrots, cabbage and beets inside.  
  • April: Plant beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, lettuce and spinach outside. Begin Brussels sprouts inside.  
  • May: Plant onions, peppers and tomatoes outside. Begin corn, cucumbers and squash inside.  
  • June: Plant beans, Brussels sprouts, corn, cucumbers and squash outside.  
  • July: Begin cabbage inside.  
  • August: Begin beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce and spinach inside.  
  • September: Plant beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, peas and spinach outside. 
  • October: Transplant peas and spinach outdoors.