Frost dates for 23354Franktown, VA
The average last spring frost in Franktown is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 24 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Nov 1 · Nov 10 · Nov 23 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 26 · Apr 6 | Nov 7 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 15 · Mar 27 | Nov 17 · Dec 4 · Dec 24 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franktown
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 | Feb 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23354 is matched to the NOAA station Eastville, VA, 10.3 km away, at 10 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastville, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 20 |
| Painter 2 W, VA | 30 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 7 |
| Cape Charles 5 Ene, VA | 29 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 17 |
| N, VA | 4 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Franktown
- Birdsnest, VA 23307 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Nassawadox, VA 23413 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Marionville, VA 23408 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Machipongo, VA 23405 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Jamesville, VA 23398 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Exmore, VA 23350 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Wardtown, VA 23482 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Willis Wharf, VA 23486 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franktown, VA?
- For ZIP code 23354, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eastville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Franktown, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23354?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.