Appalachia, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season186 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Appalachia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Appalachia falls between April 4 and May 5, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 186-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 51 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Appalachia, VA
Appalachia, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 23, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Appalachia, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Big Stone Gap, VA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,467 ft (447 m)).
Frost dates near Appalachia
- Andover Apr 20 · Oct 23
- East Stone Gap Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Big Stone Gap Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Norton Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Wise Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Keokee Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Dryden Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Pound Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Saint Charles Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Duffield Apr 20 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Appalachia, VA?
The median last spring frost in Appalachia, VA is April 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Appalachia, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Appalachia, VA?
About 186 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Appalachia, VA?
Appalachia, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.