Maryland Planting Zones

Are you thinking of starting a garden in Maryland, but not sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place starting with finding out the Maryland planting zones. Maryland is unique in that the state has a varying array of climates. The range results from variances due to coastal proximity, elevation and protection from cold because of downslope winds. The state has humid subtropical, hot humid continental and warm humid continental climates.The humid subtropical climate of the eastern half of the state has humid, hot summers and short mild, slightly cool winters. Northern and western areas, known as the Piedmont region, see a humid continental climate with average seasonal snowfalls that are normally more than 20 inches per year. Western Maryland has humid continental climate characteristics, with large seasonal temperatures that contrast between cold winters and hot summers. Across the state, thunderstorms are frequent during the summer months. 

U.S. hardiness zones are based on weather patterns and frost dates and help determine what will grow and when to plant. Maryland planting zones fall between 5b and 8a, with just the very furthest western tip falling into the 5b zone. Knowing the Maryland growing zones means knowing when to plant for optimal results. Find your exact growing zone with Gilmour’s Interactive Planting Zone Map. In general, it is fine to plant anything rated for a given zone or below. Planting anything rated for a higher defined zone is not a good idea, as plants that will thrive in higher zones most often cannot survive the colder winter conditions of a lower Maryland planting zone. 

Many plants and flowers will do well in Maryland. Since the state has such a widely varying climate, be sure to check that any specific plant can survive the Maryland climate and zone it will be planted in. Some native plants to the state include pickerel weed, geraniums, northern bayberry, moss phlox and amsonia blue ice. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, beets and spinach are all noted to do really well across the state.