Frost dates for 24426Covington, VA
The average last spring frost in Covington is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 8 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · May 2 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Covington
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24426 is matched to the NOAA station Covington Fltr Plt, VA, 3.4 km away, at 1,244 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington Fltr Plt, VA (used) | 1,244 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Gathright Dam, VA | 1,770 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
| Hot Springs, VA | 2,244 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| White Sulphur Springs, WV | 1,919 ft | May 2 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Covington
- Low Moor, VA 24457 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Selma, VA 24474 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Glen Wilton, VA 24438 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Clifton Forge, VA 24422 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Iron Gate, VA 24448 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Oriskany, VA 24130 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Eagle Rock, VA 24085 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Hot Springs, VA 24445 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Covington, VA?
- For ZIP code 24426, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Covington Fltr Plt, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Covington, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24426?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.