Frost dates for 22509Loretto, VA
The average last spring frost in Loretto is April 8 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 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Loretto
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 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22509 is matched to the NOAA station Warsaw 2 Nw, VA, 25.8 km away, at 140 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw 2 Nw, VA (used) | 140 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 30 |
| Corbin, VA | 220 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
| Walkerton 2 Nw, VA | 50 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Fredericksburg Sewage, VA | 60 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Loretto
- Hustle, VA 22476 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Champlain, VA 22438 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Rollins Fork, VA 22544 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Colonial Beach, VA 22443 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Caret, VA 22436 · last Apr 8, first Oct 30
- Bowling Green, VA 22427 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Port Royal, VA 22535 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Jersey, VA 22481 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Loretto, VA?
- For ZIP code 22509, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Warsaw 2 Nw, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Loretto, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22509?
- 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.