Frost dates for 22623Chester Gap, VA
The average last spring frost in Chester Gap is April 17 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 16 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 6 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Nov 27 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chester Gap
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22623 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Wx, VA, 32 km away, at 1,659 ft elevation (139 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Wx, VA (used) | 1,659 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 1 |
| Front Royal, VA | 930 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Sperryville, VA | 750 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Woodstock 2 Ne, VA | 675 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Chester Gap
- Huntly, VA 22640 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Linden, VA 22642 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Front Royal, VA 22630 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Flint Hill, VA 22627 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Bentonville, VA 22610 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Hume, VA 22639 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Markham, VA 22643 · last Apr 13, first Oct 28
- Washington, VA 22747 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chester Gap, VA?
- For ZIP code 22623, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Wx, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Chester Gap, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. 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 22623?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.