Ruthville, VA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Ruthville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ruthville falls between March 14 and April 14, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 13 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 5 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 58 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Richmond, VA, 42 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Ruthville, VA
Ruthville, VA frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 6, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ruthville, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Hopewell, VA weather station, 23 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Ruthville
- Charles City Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Providence Forge Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Lanexa Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Claremont Mar 31 · Nov 10
- Quinton Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Toano Mar 31 · Nov 10
- New Kent Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Barhamsville Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Spring Grove Apr 10 · Nov 1
- Norge Mar 31 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ruthville, VA?
The median last spring frost in Ruthville, VA is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ruthville, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Ruthville, VA?
About 220 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ruthville, VA?
Ruthville, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.