Frost dates for 20143Catharpin, VA
The average last spring frost in Catharpin is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 12 · Apr 29 · May 17 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Catharpin
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20143 is matched to the NOAA station Washington Dc Dulles Ap, VA, 13.4 km away, at 290 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Dc Dulles Ap, VA (used) | 290 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Manassas, VA | 245 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Wfo Sterling, VA | 288 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Vienna, VA | 418 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Catharpin
- Gainesville, VA 20155 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Haymarket, VA 20169 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Chantilly, VA 20152 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Manassas, VA 20109 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Centreville, VA 20120 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Aldie, VA 20105 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Broad Run, VA 20137 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Bristow, VA 20136 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Catharpin, VA?
- For ZIP code 20143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Washington Dc Dulles Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Catharpin, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.