Frost dates for 24651Tazewell, VA
The average last spring frost in Tazewell is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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) | May 2 · May 20 · Jun 4 | Sep 10 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 20 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 28 · May 16 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tazewell
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 | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 24651 is matched to the NOAA station Burkes Garden, VA, 15.5 km away, at 3,068 ft elevation (227 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burkes Garden, VA (used) | 3,068 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Richlands, VA | 1,910 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| Bluefield, WV | 2,870 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Elkhorn, WV | 1,948 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Tazewell
- Horsepen, VA 24619 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- North Tazewell, VA 24630 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Bishop, VA 24604 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Bandy, VA 24602 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Amonate, VA 24601 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Burkes Garden, VA 24608 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Squire, WV 24884 · last Apr 27, first Oct 18
- Ceres, VA 24318 · last May 9, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tazewell, VA?
- For ZIP code 24651, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burkes Garden, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Tazewell, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 24651?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.