Frost dates for 22161 — Springfield, VA
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season198 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Springfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Springfield falls between March 30 and April 28, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 198-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 99 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Alexandria, VA, 9 km away, the last frost here is 21 days later than there and the growing season is 41 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Springfield, VA
Frost dates for 22161 — Springfield, VA — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 29, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Springfield, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Vienna, VA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 417 ft (127 m)).
ZIP codes in Springfield: 22150 22151 22152 22153 22156 22158 22159 22160 22161
Frost dates near Springfield
- Annandale Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Newington Apr 3 · Nov 8
- Alexandria Mar 24 · Nov 18
- Burke Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Falls Church Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Merrifield Apr 14 · Oct 29
- West Mclean Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Fairfax Apr 14 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Springfield, VA?
The median last spring frost in Springfield, VA is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Springfield, VA?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Springfield, VA?
About 198 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Springfield, VA?
Springfield, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.