Frost dates for 22302Alexandria, VA
The average last spring frost in Alexandria is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 1 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 21 · Apr 3 | Nov 5 · Nov 19 · Dec 8 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alexandria
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22302 is matched to the NOAA station Oxon Hill, MD, 9 km away, at 190 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxon Hill, MD (used) | 190 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 8 |
| Washington Reagan Ap, VA | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 18 |
| Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD | 150 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Natl Arboretum Dc, MD | 50 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Alexandria
- Alexandria, VA 22313 · last Apr 3, first Nov 8
- Arlington, VA 22206 · last Mar 24, first Nov 18
- Falls Church, VA 22041 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Washington, DC 20375 · last Mar 24, first Nov 18
- Fort Myer, VA 22211 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Naval Anacost Annex, DC 20373 · last Mar 24, first Nov 18
- Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374 · last Mar 24, first Nov 18
- Oxon Hill, MD 20745 · last Apr 3, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alexandria, VA?
- For ZIP code 22302, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oxon Hill, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Alexandria, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22302?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.