Spencer, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Spencer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Spencer falls between April 11 and May 11, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later 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 119 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greensboro, NC, 61 km away, the last frost here is 23 days later than there and the growing season is 37 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Spencer, VA
Spencer, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 21, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Spencer, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Martinsville Fltr Plt, VA weather station, 19 km away (elevation 781 ft (238 m)).
Frost dates near Spencer
- Critz Apr 19 · Oct 27
- Patrick Springs Apr 19 · Oct 27
- Fieldale Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Ridgeway Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Stanleytown Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Bassett Apr 14 · Oct 31
- Collinsville Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Martinsville Apr 24 · Oct 21
- Stuart Apr 19 · Oct 27
- Henry Apr 14 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Spencer, VA?
The median last spring frost in Spencer, VA is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Spencer, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Spencer, VA?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Spencer, VA?
Spencer, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.