Frost dates for 24605Bluefield, VA
The average last spring frost in Bluefield is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 26 · May 12 · May 29 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 19 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 6 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bluefield
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24605 is matched to the NOAA station Bluefield, WV, 4 km away, at 2,870 ft elevation (501 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield, WV (used) | 2,870 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Bluefield Mercer Co Ap, WV | 2,870 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| Burkes Garden, VA | 3,068 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Elkhorn, WV | 1,948 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Bluefield
- Falls Mills, VA 24613 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Bluefield, WV 24701 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Nemours, WV 24738 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Wolfe, WV 24751 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Pocahontas, VA 24635 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Freeman, WV 24724 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Bramwell, WV 24715 · last Apr 21, first Oct 22
- Boissevain, VA 24606 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bluefield, VA?
- For ZIP code 24605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bluefield, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Bluefield, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24605?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.