Frost dates for 23966Rice, VA
The average last spring frost in Rice is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 11 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rice
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23966 is matched to the NOAA station Farmville 2 N, VA, 11.2 km away, at 450 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmville 2 N, VA (used) | 450 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 29 |
| Greenbay 3 Ne, VA | 500 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Amelia Courthouse, VA | 345 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Keysville 2 S, VA | 625 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Rice
- Farmville, VA 23909 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Burkeville, VA 23922 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Jetersville, VA 23083 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Hampden Sydney, VA 23943 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Green Bay, VA 23942 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Crewe, VA 23930 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Dillwyn, VA 23936 · last Apr 12, first Oct 29
- Meherrin, VA 23954 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rice, VA?
- For ZIP code 23966, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Farmville 2 N, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Rice, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23966?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.