Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Richmond, Virginia

Typical last spring frost April 3 (1 spring in 10 later than April 18). Typical first fall frost November 4 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 23). Growing season about 215 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 19 and fades out by April 18. It is unlikely from then until October 23, and likely again after November 19. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 3 and November 4.

January

  • January 16 to February 13: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • January 30 to February 27: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 13 to March 6: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 20 to March 6: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • February 27 to March 13: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 6 to 20: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 6 to 20: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 20 to April 3: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 20 to April 3: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 3: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 17: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 17: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 9 to 23: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 29 to July 13: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 8: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 12: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 13: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 17: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 18: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 22: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 1: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 11: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 21: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 23: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 22 to 29: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Richmond International Airport (station USW00013740), 9 miles from the center of Richmond. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/virginia/richmond/

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