Frost dates for 23838Chesterfield, VA
The average last spring frost in Chesterfield is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (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 4 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chesterfield
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 13 |
| 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 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 13 |
| 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 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23838 is matched to the NOAA station Amelia Courthouse, VA, 30.4 km away, at 345 ft elevation (63 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia Courthouse, VA (used) | 345 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Petersburg, VA | 19 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Hopewell, VA | 40 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Richmond Intl Ap, VA | 164 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Chesterfield
- Chesterfield, VA 23832 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Richmond, VA 23297 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Midlothian, VA 23112 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Moseley, VA 23120 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Church Road, VA 23833 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Sutherland, VA 23885 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Petersburg, VA 23803 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Chester, VA 23831 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chesterfield, VA?
- For ZIP code 23838, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Amelia Courthouse, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Chesterfield, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23838?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.