Frost dates for 24090Fincastle, VA
The average last spring frost in Fincastle is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 11 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 11 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 11 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fincastle
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24090 is matched to the NOAA station Roanoke 8 N, VA, 17.2 km away, at 1,157 ft elevation (113 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke 8 N, VA (used) | 1,157 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| Buchanan, VA | 880 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA | 1,175 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Bedford, VA | 894 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Fincastle
- Roanoke, VA 24050 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Troutville, VA 24175 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Daleville, VA 24083 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Blue Ridge, VA 24064 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Buchanan, VA 24066 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Cloverdale, VA 24077 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Montvale, VA 24122 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Oriskany, VA 24130 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fincastle, VA?
- For ZIP code 24090, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Roanoke 8 N, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Fincastle, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24090?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 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.