Frost dates for 23409Mears, VA
The average last spring frost in Mears is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 225 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 225 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 13 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Mar 31 · Apr 13 | Oct 31 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 225 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 20 · Apr 2 | Nov 8 · Nov 24 · Dec 11 | 250 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mears
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23409 is matched to the NOAA station Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA, 17.1 km away, at 38 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA (used) | 38 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 11 |
| Painter 2 W, VA | 30 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 7 |
| Assateague, MD | 10 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 15 |
| Snow Hill 4 N, MD | 30 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Mears
- Hallwood, VA 23359 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Bloxom, VA 23308 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Jenkins Bridge, VA 23399 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Mappsville, VA 23407 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Sanford, VA 23426 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Nelsonia, VA 23414 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Temperanceville, VA 23442 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
- Modest Town, VA 23412 · last Mar 31, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mears, VA?
- For ZIP code 23409, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Mears, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23409?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 225 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.