Frost dates for 22835Luray, VA
The average last spring frost in Luray is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Luray
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22835 is matched to the NOAA station Sperryville, VA, 20.2 km away, at 750 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sperryville, VA (used) | 750 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Luray 5 E, VA | 1,400 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Big Meadows, VA | 3,540 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Edinburg, VA | 928 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Luray
- Stanley, VA 22851 · last Apr 23, first Oct 22
- Rileyville, VA 22650 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- New Market, VA 22844 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Sperryville, VA 22740 · last Apr 23, first Oct 22
- Fort Valley, VA 22652 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Syria, VA 22743 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Shenandoah, VA 22849 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Etlan, VA 22719 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Luray, VA?
- For ZIP code 22835, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sperryville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Luray, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22835?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.