Frost dates for 23420Painter, VA
The average last spring frost in Painter is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 23 · Apr 5 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 242 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Painter
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23420 is matched to the NOAA station Painter 2 W, VA, 1.3 km away, at 30 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painter 2 W, VA (used) | 30 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 7 |
| Eastville, VA | 10 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 20 |
| Cape Charles 5 Ene, VA | 29 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 17 |
| Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA | 38 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Painter
- Craddockville, VA 23341 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Pungoteague, VA 23422 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Keller, VA 23401 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Belle Haven, VA 23306 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Davis Wharf, VA 23345 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Quinby, VA 23423 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Willis Wharf, VA 23486 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Hacksneck, VA 23358 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Painter, VA?
- For ZIP code 23420, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Painter 2 W, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Painter, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23420?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.