Frost dates for 24352Laurel Fork, VA
The average last spring frost in Laurel Fork is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (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 19 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Laurel Fork
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 24352 is matched to the NOAA station Meadows Of Dan 5 Sw, VA, 7.5 km away, at 2,225 ft elevation (518 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meadows Of Dan 5 Sw, VA (used) | 2,225 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| Stuart, VA | 1,375 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 27 |
| Mt Airy 2 W, NC | 1,080 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Floyd 2 Ne, VA | 2,625 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Laurel Fork
- Meadows Of Dan, VA 24120 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Ararat, VA 24053 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Vesta, VA 24177 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Dugspur, VA 24325 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
- Claudville, VA 24076 · last Apr 19, first Oct 27
- Fancy Gap, VA 24328 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
- Cana, VA 24317 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Hillsville, VA 24343 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Laurel Fork, VA?
- For ZIP code 24352, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meadows Of Dan 5 Sw, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Laurel Fork, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. 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 24352?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.