Frost dates for 22821Dayton, VA
The average last spring frost in Dayton is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 27 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 18 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 18 · May 7 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dayton
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22821 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin 2 Ne, WV, 30 km away, at 1,900 ft elevation (174 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin 2 Ne, WV (used) | 1,900 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Dale Enterprise, VA | 1,358 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Staunton Wtp, VA | 169 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Waynesboro Wtp, VA | 1,270 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Dayton
- Hinton, VA 22831 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Bridgewater, VA 22812 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Mount Solon, VA 22843 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Singers Glen, VA 22850 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Harrisonburg, VA 22807 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Linville, VA 22834 · 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
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dayton, VA?
- For ZIP code 22821, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin 2 Ne, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Dayton, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22821?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.