Frost dates for 24528Brookneal, VA
The average last spring frost in Brookneal is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 5 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brookneal
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24528 is matched to the NOAA station Brookneal, VA, 3.1 km away, at 408 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookneal, VA (used) | 408 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 24 |
| Charlotte Court House, VA | 569 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Appomattox, VA | 850 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Lynchburg Rgnl Ap, VA | 940 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Brookneal
- Phenix, VA 23959 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Red House, VA 23963 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Nathalie, VA 24577 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Gladys, VA 24554 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Long Island, VA 24569 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- Randolph, VA 23962 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Charlotte Court House, VA 23923 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Crystal Hill, VA 24539 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brookneal, VA?
- For ZIP code 24528, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brookneal, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Brookneal, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24528?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.