New Castle, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season200 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How New Castle compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Castle falls between March 28 and May 2, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 200-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 97 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Roanoke, VA, 30 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 28 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 New Castle, VA
New Castle, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 28, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in New Castle, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Roanoke 8 N, VA weather station, 23 km away (elevation 1,158 ft (353 m)).
Frost dates near New Castle
- Paint Bank May 2 · Oct 13
- Catawba Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Oriskany Apr 27 · Oct 18
- Daleville Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Salem Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Cloverdale Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Troutville Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Fincastle Apr 8 · Oct 31
- Roanoke Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Elliston Apr 24 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Castle, VA?
The median last spring frost in New Castle, VA is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in New Castle, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in New Castle, VA?
About 200 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is New Castle, VA?
New Castle, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.