Wise, VA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Wise compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wise falls between April 8 and May 14, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later 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 96 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 49 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 27 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Wise, VA
Wise, VA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 18, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wise, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Wise 1se, VA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 2,566 ft (782 m)).
Frost dates near Wise
- Norton Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Coeburn Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Pound Apr 29 · Oct 16
- East Stone Gap Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Appalachia Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Andover Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Dungannon Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Big Stone Gap Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Nora Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Mc Clure Apr 14 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wise, VA?
The median last spring frost in Wise, VA is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wise, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Wise, VA?
About 176 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wise, VA?
Wise, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.