Frost dates for 24014Roanoke, 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 24014 is matched to the NOAA station Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA, 9.7 km away, at 1,175 ft elevation (177 ft lower 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 24011 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Vinton, VA 24179 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Boones Mill, VA 24065 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Hardy, VA 24101 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Salem, VA 24153 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Cloverdale, VA 24077 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Villamont, VA 24178 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Bent Mountain, VA 24059 · last Apr 21, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Roanoke, VA?
- For ZIP code 24014, 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 24014?
- 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.