Frost dates for 23851Franklin, VA
The average last spring frost in Franklin is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (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 21 · May 7 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 25 · Apr 8 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 23851 is matched to the NOAA station Holland 1 E, VA, 15.2 km away, at 80 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland 1 E, VA (used) | 80 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Murfreesboro, NC | 100 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA | 22 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 15 |
| Norfolk Rich, VA | 112 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- Sedley, VA 23878 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Carrsville, VA 23315 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Courtland, VA 23837 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Suffolk, VA 23437 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Newsoms, VA 23874 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Como, NC 27818 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Zuni, VA 23898 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Boykins, VA 23827 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, VA?
- For ZIP code 23851, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holland 1 E, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23851?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.