FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in Maryland

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13, then sow outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
BaltimoreFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
ColumbiaMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
GermantownMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
Silver SpringMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
FrederickMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
WaldorfMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
Glen BurnieMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
GaithersburgMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
RockvilleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Ellicott CityMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
DundalkFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
BethesdaMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
BowieMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
TowsonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Aspen HillMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
WheatonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Bel Air SouthMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Gwynn OakMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
PotomacMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
SevernMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
North BethesdaMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
CatonsvilleFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
AnnapolisFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
HagerstownMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
EssexFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
HanoverMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
WoodlawnMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Severna ParkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
OdentonMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Saint CharlesMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 151 Maryland cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Maryland cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant winter squash in Maryland?

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13, then sow outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

When is the last frost in Maryland?

The average last spring frost in Maryland ranges from March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in Maryland

When to plant winter squash in other states

Related Guides