Keene, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Keene compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Keene falls between March 19 and April 16, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 220-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Harrisonburg, VA, 71 km away, the last frost here is 19 days earlier than there and the growing season is 35 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
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 Keene, VA
Keene, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 8, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Keene, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Charlottesville 2 Sse, VA weather station, 18 km away (elevation 1,178 ft (359 m)).
Frost dates near Keene
- Esmont Apr 2 · Nov 8
- Scottsville Apr 23 · Oct 21
- North Garden Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Schuyler Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Howardsville Apr 15 · Oct 25
- Covesville Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Faber Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Palmyra Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Batesville Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Charlottesville Apr 2 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Keene, VA?
The median last spring frost in Keene, VA is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Keene, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Keene, VA?
About 220 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Keene, VA?
Keene, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.