Frost dates for 23850Ford, VA
The average last spring frost in Ford is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 10 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 11 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 27 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ford
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23850 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Pickett, VA, 21.5 km away, at 330 ft elevation (74 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Pickett, VA (used) | 330 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Amelia Courthouse, VA | 345 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Petersburg, VA | 19 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Stony Creek 2 N, VA | 105 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Ford
- Wilsons, VA 23894 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Church Road, VA 23833 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Ammon, VA 23822 · last Apr 9, first Oct 29
- Dewitt, VA 23840 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Mc Kenney, VA 23872 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Sutherland, VA 23885 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Dinwiddie, VA 23841 · last Apr 9, first Oct 29
- Rawlings, VA 23876 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ford, VA?
- For ZIP code 23850, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Pickett, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Ford, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. 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 23850?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.