Frost dates for 23968Skipwith, VA
The average last spring frost in Skipwith is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 18 · Apr 3 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 7 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Skipwith
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 | Feb 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23968 is matched to the NOAA station Clarksville, VA, 12.4 km away, at 330 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, VA (used) | 330 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Chase City, VA | 510 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| John H Kerr Dam, VA | 250 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| S Boston, VA | 329 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Skipwith
- Red Oak, VA 23964 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Chase City, VA 23924 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Clarksville, VA 23927 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Wylliesburg, VA 23976 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Buffalo Junction, VA 24529 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Boydton, VA 23917 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Fort Mitchell, VA 23941 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Saxe, VA 23967 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Skipwith, VA?
- For ZIP code 23968, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarksville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Skipwith, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23968?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.