Frost dates for 22172Triangle, VA
The average last spring frost in Triangle is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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) | Mar 27 · Apr 8 · Apr 25 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 28 · Apr 8 | Oct 28 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Mar 30 | Nov 7 · Nov 22 · Dec 10 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Triangle
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 | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22172 is matched to the NOAA station Quantico Mcas, VA, 6 km away, at 10 ft elevation (128 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantico Mcas, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Manassas, VA | 245 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Fredericksburg Sewage, VA | 60 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Vienna, VA | 418 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Triangle
- Quantico, VA 22134 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Dumfries, VA 22026 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Woodbridge, VA 22193 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Stafford, VA 22554 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Marbury, MD 20658 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Indian Head, MD 20640 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Garrisonville, VA 22463 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Occoquan, VA 22125 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Triangle, VA?
- For ZIP code 22172, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Quantico Mcas, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Triangle, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22172?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.