Frost dates for 23069Hanover, VA
The average last spring frost in Hanover is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (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 8 · Apr 23 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 10 · Apr 29 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 28 · Apr 11 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hanover
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 11 |
| 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) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23069 is matched to the NOAA station Ashland Hanover Co Muni Ap, VA, 12.1 km away, at 205 ft elevation (185 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Hanover Co Muni Ap, VA (used) | 205 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Ashland, VA | 220 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| Walkerton 2 Nw, VA | 50 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Sandston, VA | 165 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Hanover
- Studley, VA 23162 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Mechanicsville, VA 23116 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Aylett, VA 23009 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Manquin, VA 23106 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Ashland, VA 23005 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Doswell, VA 23047 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Richmond, VA 23227 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- King William, VA 23086 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hanover, VA?
- For ZIP code 23069, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ashland Hanover Co Muni Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Hanover, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23069?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.