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When to plant Geraniums in Quantico, MD

In Quantico, Geraniums is a spring-only crop. Plant April 9–April 23 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Geraniums in Quantico, MD

Wicomico County, Maryland Zone 7b June

June in the garden — Wicomico County, Maryland

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Wicomico County, Maryland this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Get geraniums seeds going inside

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. Bring in the geraniums

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: geraniums

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Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.

Quantico, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 728 feet, Wicomico County receives approximately 48.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Quantico, MD (Zone 7b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Quantico Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Geraniums Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Apr 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 11 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 9 🌸 Bloom: Jun 18 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: May 3 🌸 Bloom: Jul 12 – Nov 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Quantico

How your county's soil matches Geraniums's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.0) overlaps with Geraniums's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wicomico County is excellent for Geraniums — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Geraniums.

How to Plant Geraniums

0.1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
14"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Geraniums

3
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Geraniums Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 35 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Geraniums

Geraniums needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Geraniums Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Wicomico County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Geraniums Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Geraniums needs ~1,615 GDD — county provides 3,914 GDD Excellent fit

Geraniums Planting Timeline — Quantico, MD

Geraniums Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Bloom June 18 Jun 18 – Oct 22

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Wicomico County

Growing Tips for Geraniums in Quantico

Direct sow Geraniums outdoors after April 09 in Wicomico County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Geraniums in Quantico, MD?

In Quantico, MD, plant Geraniums after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around November 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Quantico, MD for Geraniums?

Quantico sits in USDA Zone 7b. Geraniums grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Geraniums grow in Quantico's climate?

Yes — Geraniums grows well in Quantico's temperate climate. Quantico averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around November 1.

🌱

Your Wicomico County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wicomico County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wicomico County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.