Rapidan, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season206 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Rapidan compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rapidan falls between March 24 and April 26, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 206-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 92 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Harrisonburg, VA, 72 km away, the last frost here is 14 days earlier than there and the growing season is 21 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Rapidan, VA
Rapidan, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Oct 30, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rapidan, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| 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 Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 522 ft (159 m)).
Frost dates near Rapidan
- Mitchells Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Locust Dale Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Woodberry Forest Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Oakpark Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Rhoadesville Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Radiant Apr 17 · Oct 22
- Brightwood Apr 21 · Oct 22
- Orange Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Burr Hill Apr 7 · Oct 30
- Unionville Apr 7 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rapidan, VA?
The median last spring frost in Rapidan, VA is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rapidan, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Rapidan, VA?
About 206 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rapidan, VA?
Rapidan, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.