Frost dates for 22905Charlottesville, VA
The average last spring frost in Charlottesville is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 3 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 24 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Charlottesville
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 22905 is matched to the NOAA station Monticello, VA, 4.5 km away, at 758 ft elevation (302 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello, VA (used) | 758 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
| Charlottesville 2W, VA | 866 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
| Charlottesville 2 Sse, VA | 1,177 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 8 |
| Free Union, VA | 590 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Charlottesville
- Charlottesville, VA 22904 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Ivy, VA 22945 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Keswick, VA 22947 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Earlysville, VA 22936 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- White Hall, VA 22987 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- North Garden, VA 22959 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Free Union, VA 22940 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Palmyra, VA 22963 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlottesville, VA?
- For ZIP code 22905, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monticello, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Charlottesville, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 22905?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.