Foster, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season223 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Foster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Foster falls between March 20 and April 15, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 223-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Newport News, VA, 39 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Foster, VA
Foster, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 10, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Foster, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 N, VA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 3 ft (1 m)).
Frost dates near Foster
- Mathews Apr 1 · Nov 10
- North Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Cobbs Creek Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Cardinal Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Hallieford Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Bohannon Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Hudgins Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Dutton Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Ware Neck Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Grimstead Apr 1 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Foster, VA?
The median last spring frost in Foster, VA is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Foster, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Foster, VA?
About 223 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Foster, VA?
Foster, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.