Frost dates for 24082Critz, VA
The average last spring frost in Critz is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · May 2 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 26 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Critz
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24082 is matched to the NOAA station Philpott Dam 2, VA, 19.5 km away, at 1,123 ft elevation (40 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philpott Dam 2, VA (used) | 1,123 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 31 |
| Stuart, VA | 1,375 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 27 |
| Danbury, NC | 1,019 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Martinsville Fltr Plt, VA | 780 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Critz
- Patrick Springs, VA 24133 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Spencer, VA 24165 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Stuart, VA 24171 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Lawsonville, NC 27022 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Sandy Ridge, NC 27046 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Fieldale, VA 24089 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Bassett, VA 24055 · last Apr 14, first Oct 31
- Danbury, NC 27016 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Critz, VA?
- For ZIP code 24082, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Philpott Dam 2, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Critz, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. 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 24082?
- 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.