Frost dates for 23834Colonial Heights, VA
The average last spring frost in Colonial Heights 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 Colonial Heights
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 23834 is matched to the NOAA station Petersburg, VA, 3.6 km away, at 19 ft elevation (47 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 |
| Richmond Intl Ap, VA | 164 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Colonial Heights
- Virginia State University, VA 23806 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Fort Lee, VA 23801 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Petersburg, VA 23804 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Chester, VA 23831 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Hopewell, VA 23860 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Prince George, VA 23875 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Richmond, VA 23237 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Sutherland, VA 23885 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colonial Heights, VA?
- For ZIP code 23834, 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 Colonial Heights, 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 23834?
- 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.