Frost dates for 23950La Crosse, VA
The average last spring frost in La Crosse is April 5 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 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 17 · May 5 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Crosse
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23950 is matched to the NOAA station John H Kerr Dam, VA, 21.3 km away, at 250 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| John H Kerr Dam, VA (used) | 250 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Lawrenceville 3 E, VA | 325 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Chase City, VA | 510 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Roanoke Rapids Ap, NC | 256 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near La Crosse
- South Hill, VA 23970 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Bracey, VA 23919 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- White Plains, VA 23893 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Brodnax, VA 23920 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Ebony, VA 23845 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Macon, NC 27551 · last Mar 31, first Nov 9
- Gasburg, VA 23857 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Baskerville, VA 23915 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Crosse, VA?
- For ZIP code 23950, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the John H Kerr Dam, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in La Crosse, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. 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 23950?
- 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.