Howardsville, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Howardsville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Howardsville falls between March 31 and May 4, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 38% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lynchburg, VA, 62 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Howardsville, VA
Howardsville, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 25, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Howardsville, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| 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 Tye Rvr 1 Se, VA weather station, 30 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 m)).
Frost dates near Howardsville
- Esmont Apr 2 · Nov 8
- Schuyler Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Keene Apr 2 · Nov 8
- Wingina Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Scottsville Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Faber Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Shipman Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Covesville Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Buckingham Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Norwood Apr 15 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Howardsville, VA?
The median last spring frost in Howardsville, VA is April 15. 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 Howardsville, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Howardsville, VA?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Howardsville, VA?
Howardsville, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.