Frost dates for 22851Stanley, VA
The average last spring frost in Stanley is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 21 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 15 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 8 · Apr 29 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stanley
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22851 is matched to the NOAA station Luray 5 E, VA, 16.3 km away, at 1,400 ft elevation (209 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luray 5 E, VA (used) | 1,400 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Big Meadows, VA | 3,540 ft | May 1 | Oct 19 |
| Sperryville, VA | 750 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Edinburg, VA | 928 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Stanley
- Luray, VA 22835 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Shenandoah, VA 22849 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- New Market, VA 22844 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Syria, VA 22743 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Elkton, VA 22827 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Etlan, VA 22719 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Banco, VA 22711 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Sperryville, VA 22740 · last Apr 23, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stanley, VA?
- For ZIP code 22851, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Luray 5 E, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Stanley, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22851?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.