Frost dates for 22803Harrisonburg, VA
The average last spring frost in Harrisonburg is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 19 · May 3 · May 19 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 162 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 204 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Harrisonburg
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22803 is matched to the NOAA station Dale Enterprise, VA, 5.8 km away, at 1,358 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dale Enterprise, VA (used) | 1,358 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Staunton Wtp, VA | 169 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Big Meadows, VA | 3,540 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Waynesboro Wtp, VA | 1,270 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Harrisonburg
- Harrisonburg, VA 22801 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Pleasant Valley, VA 22848 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Lacey Spring, VA 22833 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Keezletown, VA 22832 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Penn Laird, VA 22846 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Mount Crawford, VA 22841 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Linville, VA 22834 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Singers Glen, VA 22850 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harrisonburg, VA?
- For ZIP code 22803, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dale Enterprise, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Harrisonburg, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. 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 22803?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.