Fries, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Fries compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fries falls between April 11 and May 14, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Winston-Salem, NC, 100 km away, the last frost here is 31 days later than there and the growing season is 57 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Fries, VA
Fries, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 14, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fries, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Galax Radio Wbrf, VA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 2,385 ft (727 m)).
Frost dates near Fries
- Galax Apr 22 · Oct 21
- Ivanhoe Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Cripple Creek Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Woodlawn Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Austinville Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Elk Creek Apr 16 · Oct 27
- Independence Apr 16 · Oct 27
- Speedwell Apr 16 · Oct 27
- Max Meadows Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Crockett Apr 25 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fries, VA?
The median last spring frost in Fries, VA is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fries, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Fries, VA?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fries, VA?
Fries, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.