Whether you are planting flowers to beautify your garden or vegetable plants to supplement your diet, it is important to know the recommended planting dates to achieve the best results for your efforts.
Maryland includes four different USDA Hardiness Zones for planting. The start times for vegetable planting vary 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. Many use Mother’s Day as a general rule of thumb for when it is safe to plant your flowers and tender vegetation outside. There is an average of 170 days for the growing season between the last and first frost dates.
If you are planting your own kitchen garden or planning your farm-to-table menu, you can use this convenient Chart for Zone 7 planting and harvesting guide to find which local vegetables are in-season.
