Frost dates for 22656Stephenson, VA
The average last spring frost in Stephenson is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 23 · May 6 · May 24 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 13 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stephenson
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22656 is matched to the NOAA station Winchester 7 Se, VA, 2.5 km away, at 680 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester 7 Se, VA (used) | 680 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Winchester, VA | 720 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Mt Wx 3, VA | 1,550 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 29 |
| Mt Wx, VA | 1,659 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Stephenson
- Brucetown, VA 22622 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Winchester, VA 22604 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Clear Brook, VA 22624 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Ridgeway, WV 25440 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Berryville, VA 22611 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Summit Point, WV 25446 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Bunker Hill, WV 25413 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Millwood, VA 22646 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stephenson, VA?
- For ZIP code 22656, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winchester 7 Se, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Stephenson, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22656?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.