Frost dates for 22738Rochelle, VA
The average last spring frost in Rochelle is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (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 17 | Oct 2 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · May 6 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rochelle
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| 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) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22738 is matched to the NOAA station Somerset, VA, 8.9 km away, at 510 ft elevation (127 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset, VA (used) | 510 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA | 520 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Charlottesville Ap, VA | 641 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Big Meadows, VA | 3,540 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Rochelle
- Pratts, VA 22731 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Wolftown, VA 22748 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Madison, VA 22727 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Aroda, VA 22709 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Hood, VA 22723 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Radiant, VA 22732 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Ruckersville, VA 22968 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Leon, VA 22725 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rochelle, VA?
- For ZIP code 22738, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Somerset, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Rochelle, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22738?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.