Frost dates for 23297 — Richmond, VA
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Richmond compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richmond falls between March 20 and April 17, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 214-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 85 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Richmond, VA
Frost dates for 23297 — Richmond, VA — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 3, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richmond, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Petersburg, VA weather station, 22 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
ZIP codes in Richmond: 23173 23218 23219 23220 23221 23222 23223 23224 23225 23226 23227 23230 23232 23234 23235 23236 23237 23241 23249 23250 23260 23261 23269 23274 23276 23278 23279 23282 23284 23285 23286 23289 23290 23291 23292 23293 23295 23297 23298
Frost dates near Richmond
- Chesterfield Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Midlothian Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Chester Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Henrico Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Moseley Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Colonial Heights Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Sutherland Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Virginia State University Apr 3 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richmond, VA?
The median last spring frost in Richmond, VA is April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Richmond, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Richmond, VA?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richmond, VA?
Richmond, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.