What Grows in Baltimore, MD?
Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay has excellent growing conditions with mild coastal influence.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Baltimore is in USDA Zone 7a with about 180 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, corn, beans, and more here.
Planting tips for Baltimore
Chesapeake coastal moderation. Plant warm crops after April 10. Extended fall season.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost March 28, first frost October 22.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Baltimore
Tomato
Grows wellCherry Tomato
Grows wellBell Pepper
Grows wellChili Pepper
Grows wellCucumber
Grows wellZucchini
Grows wellGreen Beans
Grows wellLettuce
Grows wellSpinach
Grows wellKale
Grows wellBroccoli
Grows wellCarrot
Grows wellRadish
Grows wellBeets
Grows wellOnion
Grows wellGarlic
Grows wellPotato
Grows wellSweet Potato
Grows wellCorn
Grows wellPeas
Grows wellCabbage
Grows wellBrussels Sprouts
Grows wellEggplant
Grows wellSwiss Chard
Grows wellArugula
Grows wellMicrogreens
Grows wellPumpkin
Grows wellLeek
Grows wellAsparagus
Grows wellRhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Baltimore, MD in?
Baltimore, MD is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Baltimore?
The average last spring frost in Baltimore is around March 28, and the first fall frost is typically October 22. Plan to move tender plants outside after March 28 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 22.
What grows well in Baltimore?
Plenty — Baltimore's USDA Zone 7a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Baltimore's growing season?
Baltimore typically has around 180 frost-free days per year (roughly March 28 to October 22). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Baltimore?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Baltimore.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Baltimore?
Yes — Baltimore's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Baltimore?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around March 28), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.