Frost dates for 22030Fairfax, VA
The average last spring frost in Fairfax is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 25 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 28 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fairfax
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22030 is matched to the NOAA station Vienna, VA, 6 km away, at 418 ft elevation (14 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna, VA (used) | 418 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Washington Dc Dulles Ap, VA | 290 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Manassas, VA | 245 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Wfo Sterling, VA | 288 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Fairfax
- Fairfax, VA 22038 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Centreville, VA 20122 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Chantilly, VA 20153 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Herndon, VA 20192 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Reston, VA 20195 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Burke, VA 22009 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- West Mclean, VA 22103 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Merrifield, VA 22118 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fairfax, VA?
- For ZIP code 22030, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vienna, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Fairfax, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22030?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.