Frost dates for 24523Bedford, VA
The average last spring frost in Bedford is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 7 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 24 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 29 · Apr 13 | Oct 28 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bedford
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24523 is matched to the NOAA station Bedford, VA, 3.1 km away, at 894 ft elevation (126 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford, VA (used) | 894 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Buchanan, VA | 880 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Lynchburg #2, VA | 736 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA | 940 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Bedford
- Lowry, VA 24570 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Thaxton, VA 24174 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Goode, VA 24556 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Moneta, VA 24121 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
- Montvale, VA 24122 · last Apr 11, first Oct 28
- Huddleston, VA 24104 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Goodview, VA 24095 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Forest, VA 24551 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bedford, VA?
- For ZIP code 24523, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bedford, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Bedford, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24523?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.