Frost dates for 23005Ashland, VA
The average last spring frost in Ashland is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 9 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 30 · Apr 12 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ashland
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23005 is matched to the NOAA station Ashland, VA, 1.8 km away, at 220 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland, VA (used) | 220 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| Ashland Hanover Co Muni Ap, VA | 205 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Sandston, VA | 165 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Richmond Intl Ap, VA | 164 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Ashland
- Glen Allen, VA 23059 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Doswell, VA 23047 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Richmond, VA 23227 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Henrico, VA 23294 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Hanover, VA 23069 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Mechanicsville, VA 23116 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Studley, VA 23162 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Rockville, VA 23146 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ashland, VA?
- For ZIP code 23005, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ashland, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Ashland, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23005?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.