Frost dates for 22508Locust Grove, VA
The average last spring frost in Locust Grove is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 6 · Apr 21 · May 9 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 26 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 27 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Locust Grove
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22508 is matched to the NOAA station Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA, 32.6 km away, at 520 ft elevation (169 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA (used) | 520 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Fredericksburg Sewage, VA | 60 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Boston 4 Se, VA | 590 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Corbin, VA | 220 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Locust Grove
- Richardsville, VA 22736 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Lignum, VA 22726 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Burr Hill, VA 22433 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Spotsylvania, VA 22553 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Rhoadesville, VA 22542 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Elkwood, VA 22718 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Stevensburg, VA 22741 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Sumerduck, VA 22742 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Locust Grove, VA?
- For ZIP code 22508, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Locust Grove, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. 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 22508?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.