Frost dates for 22603Winchester, VA
The average last spring frost in Winchester is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 9 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 12 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Winchester
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22603 is matched to the NOAA station Winchester, VA, 9.4 km away, at 720 ft elevation (103 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester, VA (used) | 720 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Winchester 7 Se, VA | 680 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Martinsburg E Wv Rgnl Ap, WV | 534 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Cacapon St Pk #2, WV | 958 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Winchester
- Clear Brook, VA 22624 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Winchester, VA 22601 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Brucetown, VA 22622 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Ridgeway, WV 25440 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Stephenson, VA 22656 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Gore, VA 22637 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Glengary, WV 25421 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Gerrardstown, WV 25420 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Winchester, VA?
- For ZIP code 22603, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winchester, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Winchester, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22603?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.