Frost dates for 22551Spotsylvania, VA
The average last spring frost in Spotsylvania is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 12 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · May 4 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 220 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spotsylvania
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22551 is matched to the NOAA station Corbin, VA, 27.5 km away, at 220 ft elevation (49 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin, VA (used) | 220 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
| Fredericksburg Sewage, VA | 60 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Louisa, VA | 420 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 20 |
| Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA | 520 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Spotsylvania
- Fredericksburg, VA 22412 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Partlow, VA 22534 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Spotsylvania, VA 22553 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Thornburg, VA 22565 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Locust Grove, VA 22508 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Ladysmith, VA 22501 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Unionville, VA 22567 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Woodford, VA 22580 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spotsylvania, VA?
- For ZIP code 22551, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Corbin, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Spotsylvania, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22551?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.