Loretto, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 8median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season205 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Loretto compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Loretto falls between March 26 and April 23, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 205-day growing season is longer than 59% 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 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waldorf, MD, 58 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 12 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Loretto, VA
Loretto, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 8, first frost Oct 30, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 13
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Loretto, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Warsaw 2 Nw, VA weather station, 26 km away (elevation 141 ft (43 m)).
Frost dates near Loretto
- Hustle Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Champlain Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Rollins Fork Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Colonial Beach Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Caret Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Port Royal Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Jersey Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Sparta Apr 14 · Oct 27
- Newtown Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Bowling Green Apr 14 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Loretto, VA?
The median last spring frost in Loretto, VA is April 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Loretto, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Loretto, VA?
About 205 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Loretto, VA?
Loretto, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.