Frost dates for 24216Appalachia, VA
The average last spring frost in Appalachia is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 1 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Appalachia
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24216 is matched to the NOAA station Big Stone Gap, VA, 9.7 km away, at 1,466 ft elevation (322 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap, VA (used) | 1,466 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Whitesburg 2Se, KY | 1,240 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Wise 1Se, VA | 2,564 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Skyline 1 Se, KY | 1,083 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Appalachia
- Andover, VA 24215 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- East Stone Gap, VA 24246 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Partridge, KY 40862 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Lynch, KY 40855 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Eolia, KY 40826 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Benham, KY 40807 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Norton, VA 24273 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Appalachia, VA?
- For ZIP code 24216, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Big Stone Gap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Appalachia, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24216?
- 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.