Galax, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Galax compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Galax falls between April 7 and May 10, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Winston-Salem, NC, 89 km away, the last frost here is 27 days later than there and the growing season is 46 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Galax, VA
Galax, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 21, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Galax, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Wtp, VA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 2,343 ft (714 m)).
Frost dates near Galax
- Fries Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Woodlawn Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Lambsburg Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Austinville Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Hillsville Apr 26 · Oct 14
- Fancy Gap Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Ivanhoe Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Independence Apr 16 · Oct 27
- Cana Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Cripple Creek Apr 25 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Galax, VA?
The median last spring frost in Galax, VA is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Galax, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Galax, VA?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Galax, VA?
Galax, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.