Frost dates for 24368Rural Retreat, VA
The average last spring frost in Rural Retreat is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 22 · May 7 · May 25 | Sep 23 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 16 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 10 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rural Retreat
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24368 is matched to the NOAA station Wytheville, VA, 19.9 km away, at 2,458 ft elevation (167 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville, VA (used) | 2,458 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Burkes Garden, VA | 3,068 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Elk Creek 4Ssw, VA | 3,439 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Bland, VA | 2,000 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Rural Retreat
- Crockett, VA 24323 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Atkins, VA 24311 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Speedwell, VA 24374 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Ceres, VA 24318 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Sugar Grove, VA 24375 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Wytheville, VA 24382 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Cripple Creek, VA 24322 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Troutdale, VA 24378 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rural Retreat, VA?
- For ZIP code 24368, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wytheville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Rural Retreat, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24368?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.