Frost dates for 24526Big Island, VA
The average last spring frost in Big Island is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 13 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 15 · May 3 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Big Island
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24526 is matched to the NOAA station Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA, 28 km away, at 940 ft elevation (67 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA (used) | 940 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Lynchburg #2, VA | 736 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Bedford, VA | 894 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Buchanan, VA | 880 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Big Island
- Coleman Falls, VA 24536 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Glasgow, VA 24555 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Goode, VA 24556 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Monroe, VA 24574 · last Apr 15, first Oct 25
- Lynchburg, VA 24503 · last Apr 17, first Oct 25
- Natural Bridge, VA 24578 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Lowry, VA 24570 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Big Island, VA?
- For ZIP code 24526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Big Island, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.