Frost dates for 24412Bacova, VA
The average last spring frost in Bacova is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 4 · May 19 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bacova
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24412 is matched to the NOAA station Gathright Dam, VA, 15.4 km away, at 1,770 ft elevation (64 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gathright Dam, VA (used) | 1,770 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
| Hot Springs, VA | 2,244 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Frost 3Ne, WV | 2,905 ft | May 10 | Oct 5 |
| Marlinton, WV | 2,150 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Bacova
- Millboro, VA 24460 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Warm Springs, VA 24484 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Hot Springs, VA 24445 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Clifton Forge, VA 24422 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Williamsville, VA 24487 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Selma, VA 24474 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Iron Gate, VA 24448 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Buckeye, WV 24924 · last May 3, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bacova, VA?
- For ZIP code 24412, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gathright Dam, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Bacova, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24412?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.