Frost dates for 23806Virginia State University, VA
The average last spring frost in Virginia State University is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 1 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 20 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 3 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Virginia State University
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 14 |
| 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 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 14 |
| 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 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23806 is matched to the NOAA station Petersburg, VA, 1 km away, at 19 ft elevation (43 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg, VA (used) | 19 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Hopewell, VA | 40 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Disputanta, VA | 130 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Stony Creek 2 N, VA | 105 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Virginia State University
- Petersburg, VA 23804 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Colonial Heights, VA 23834 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Fort Lee, VA 23801 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Prince George, VA 23875 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Hopewell, VA 23860 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Chester, VA 23831 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Disputanta, VA 23842 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Sutherland, VA 23885 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Virginia State University, VA?
- For ZIP code 23806, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Petersburg, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Virginia State University, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23806?
- 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.