Bedford, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season207 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Bedford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bedford falls between March 25 and April 24, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 207-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 85 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lynchburg, VA, 34 km away, the last frost here is 10 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 25 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Bedford, VA
Bedford, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Oct 31, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bedford, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Bedford, VA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 896 ft (273 m)).
Frost dates near Bedford
- Lowry Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Thaxton Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Goode Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Moneta Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Montvale Apr 8 · Oct 31
- Huddleston Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Goodview Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Forest Apr 17 · Oct 25
- Villamont Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Lynch Station Apr 15 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bedford, VA?
The median last spring frost in Bedford, VA is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bedford, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Bedford, VA?
About 207 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bedford, VA?
Bedford, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.