Frost dates for 23846Elberon, VA
The average last spring frost in Elberon is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 210 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elberon
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23846 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk Rich, VA, 18.2 km away, at 112 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Rich, VA (used) | 112 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Wakefield 1Nw, VA | 113 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 30 |
| Williamsburg 2 N, VA | 70 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
| Newport News Intl Ap, VA | 42 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Elberon
- Dendron, VA 23839 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Surry, VA 23883 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Wakefield, VA 23888 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Jamestown, VA 23081 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Ivor, VA 23866 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Spring Grove, VA 23881 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Smithfield, VA 23430 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Claremont, VA 23899 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elberon, VA?
- For ZIP code 23846, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk Rich, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Elberon, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. 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 23846?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 210 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.