Frost dates for 23232Richmond, VA
The average last spring frost in Richmond is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 22 · Apr 5 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richmond
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23232 is matched to the NOAA station Richmond Intl Ap, VA, 8 km away, at 164 ft elevation (125 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Intl Ap, VA (used) | 164 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Sandston, VA | 165 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Ashland Hanover Co Muni Ap, VA | 205 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
| Ashland, VA | 220 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Richmond
- Glen Allen, VA 23058 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Richmond, VA 23289 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Henrico, VA 23238 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Sandston, VA 23150 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Mechanicsville, VA 23111 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
- Chester, VA 23831 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Chesterfield, VA 23832 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Studley, VA 23162 · last Apr 10, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richmond, VA?
- For ZIP code 23232, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richmond Intl Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Richmond, 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 23232?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.