Frost dates for 24079Copper Hill, VA
The average last spring frost in Copper Hill is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 17 · May 3 · May 20 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 21 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 21 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Copper Hill
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24079 is matched to the NOAA station Copper Hill, VA, 3.3 km away, at 2,846 ft elevation (156 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Hill, VA (used) | 2,846 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| Floyd 2 Ne, VA | 2,625 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Christiansburg, VA | 2,100 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Rocky Mt, VA | 1,315 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Copper Hill
- Check, VA 24072 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Callaway, VA 24067 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Bent Mountain, VA 24059 · last Apr 21, first Oct 25
- Shawsville, VA 24162 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Pilot, VA 24138 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Ferrum, VA 24088 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Elliston, VA 24087 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Boones Mill, VA 24065 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Copper Hill, VA?
- For ZIP code 24079, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Copper Hill, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Copper Hill, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24079?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.