Frost dates for 22503Lancaster, VA
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 8 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 6 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 27 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lancaster
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22503 is matched to the NOAA station W Pt 2 Nw, VA, 32.7 km away, at 20 ft elevation (55 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Pt 2 Nw, VA (used) | 20 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| N, VA | 4 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
| Warsaw 2 Nw, VA | 140 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| St Inigoes Webster Nolf, MD | 21 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Merry Point, VA 22513 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Lively, VA 22507 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Mollusk, VA 22517 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Nuttsville, VA 22528 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Weems, VA 22576 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Kilmarnock, VA 22482 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Irvington, VA 22480 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Water View, VA 23180 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, VA?
- For ZIP code 22503, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Pt 2 Nw, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22503?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.