Frost dates for 24459Middlebrook, VA
The average last spring frost in Middlebrook is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 23 · May 9 · May 25 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Middlebrook
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24459 is matched to the NOAA station Hot Springs, VA, 48.4 km away, at 2,244 ft elevation (325 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs, VA (used) | 2,244 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
| Staunton Wtp, VA | 169 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Montebello Fish Cultural Stn, VA | 2,667 ft | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Lexington, VA | 1,097 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Middlebrook
- Steeles Tavern, VA 24476 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Craigsville, VA 24430 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Augusta Springs, VA 24411 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Raphine, VA 24472 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Brownsburg, VA 24415 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Greenville, VA 24440 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Fairfield, VA 24435 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Rockbridge Baths, VA 24473 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Middlebrook, VA?
- For ZIP code 24459, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hot Springs, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Middlebrook, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. 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 24459?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.