Frost dates for 24002Roanoke, VA
The average last spring frost in Roanoke is April 3 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 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 151 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 3 · Apr 17 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 22 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Roanoke
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24002 is matched to the NOAA station Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA, 5 km away, at 1,175 ft elevation (178 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA (used) | 1,175 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Roanoke 8 N, VA | 1,157 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| Copper Hill, VA | 2,846 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| Rocky Mt, VA | 1,315 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Roanoke
- Roanoke, VA 24001 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Vinton, VA 24179 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Salem, VA 24155 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Cloverdale, VA 24077 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Hardy, VA 24101 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Villamont, VA 24178 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Boones Mill, VA 24065 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Daleville, VA 24083 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Roanoke, VA?
- For ZIP code 24002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Roanoke, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24002?
- 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.