Frost dates for 23821Alberta, VA
The average last spring frost in Alberta is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 205 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 205 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 6 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 205 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 26 · Apr 12 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alberta
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23821 is matched to the NOAA station Lawrenceville 3 E, VA, 15.8 km away, at 325 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrenceville 3 E, VA (used) | 325 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Ft Pickett, VA | 330 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Emporia 1 Wnw, VA | 100 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Stony Creek 2 N, VA | 105 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Alberta
- Meredithville, VA 23873 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Dundas, VA 23938 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Rawlings, VA 23876 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Dolphin, VA 23843 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Warfield, VA 23889 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Brodnax, VA 23920 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Lawrenceville, VA 23868 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Freeman, VA 23856 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alberta, VA?
- For ZIP code 23821, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lawrenceville 3 E, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Alberta, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23821?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 205 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.