Frost dates for 22909 — Charlottesville, VA
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season213 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Charlottesville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Charlottesville falls between March 21 and April 19, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 213-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 90 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Harrisonburg, VA, 60 km away, the last frost here is 16 days earlier than there and the growing season is 28 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Charlottesville, VA
Frost dates for 22909 — Charlottesville, VA — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Charlottesville, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Monticello, VA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 758 ft (231 m)).
ZIP codes in Charlottesville: 22901 22902 22903 22904 22905 22906 22907 22908 22909 22910 22911
Frost dates near Charlottesville
- Keswick Apr 5 · Nov 4
- Ivy Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Earlysville Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Palmyra Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Troy Apr 23 · Oct 21
- North Garden Apr 2 · Nov 10
- White Hall Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Keene Apr 2 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Charlottesville, VA?
The median last spring frost in Charlottesville, VA is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Charlottesville, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Charlottesville, VA?
About 213 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Charlottesville, VA?
Charlottesville, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.