Frost dates for 20156Gainesville, VA
The average last spring frost in Gainesville is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 11 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 24 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 14 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gainesville
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 20156 is matched to the NOAA station Manassas, VA, 2.6 km away, at 245 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manassas, VA (used) | 245 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Washington Dc Dulles Ap, VA | 290 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Vienna, VA | 418 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Warrenton 3 Se, VA | 500 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Gainesville
- Manassas, VA 20108 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Bristow, VA 20136 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Nokesville, VA 20181 · last Apr 12, first Oct 27
- Clifton, VA 20124 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Centreville, VA 20121 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Woodbridge, VA 22193 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Fairfax Station, VA 22039 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Gainesville, VA 20155 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gainesville, VA?
- For ZIP code 20156, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manassas, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Gainesville, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 20156?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.