Forest, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Forest compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forest falls between April 3 and May 4, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 12 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 119 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Forest shares its weather station with Lynchburg, VA, 11 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Forest, VA
Forest, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 25, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forest, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Lynchburg #2, VA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 735 ft (224 m)).
Frost dates near Forest
- Evington Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Lynchburg Apr 17 · Oct 25
- Goode Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Lowry Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Naruna Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Rustburg Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Coleman Falls Apr 17 · Oct 25
- Madison Heights Apr 17 · Oct 25
- Lynch Station Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Bedford Apr 7 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forest, VA?
The median last spring frost in Forest, VA is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forest, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Forest, VA?
About 191 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forest, VA?
Forest, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.