Frost dates for 20131Philomont, VA
The average last spring frost in Philomont is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 14 · May 1 · May 20 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 7 | Oct 7 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 2 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Philomont
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20131 is matched to the NOAA station Purcellville, VA, 9.8 km away, at 510 ft elevation (83 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purcellville, VA (used) | 510 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Mt Wx, VA | 1,659 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 1 |
| Mt Wx 3, VA | 1,550 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 29 |
| Wfo Sterling, VA | 288 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Philomont
- Lincoln, VA 20160 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Round Hill, VA 20141 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Dulles, VA 20102 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Ashburn, VA 20146 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Bluemont, VA 20135 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Purcellville, VA 20132 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Middleburg, VA 20117 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Hamilton, VA 20159 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Philomont, VA?
- For ZIP code 20131, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Purcellville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Philomont, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20131?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.