When is the last frost in Richmond, VA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Richmond is April 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 18.

When is the first frost in Richmond?

The average first fall frost in Richmond is November 4, with a growing season of about 215 days.

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Richmond, Virginia frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 3. Average first fall frost: November 4. That gives a growing season of about 215 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 18, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 3

1-in-10 risk after Apr 18

First frost (50%)

Nov 4

1-in-10 risk before Oct 23

Growing season

215 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 22

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 19	November 19
70%	March 29	November 9
50%	April 3	November 4
30%	April 9	October 31
10%	April 18	October 23

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 18. These are NOAA probabilities for the Richmond International Airport weather station (USW00013740, elevation 50 m), 1991–2020.

Richmond vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 3). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 18) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 13	Apr 10 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 23	Mar 6
Brussels sprouts	Jan 23	Mar 6
Cabbage	Jan 16	Feb 27
Cauliflower	Feb 6	Mar 20
Sweet corn	Mar 6	Apr 3 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 20	Apr 10
Kale	Jan 16	Feb 27
Leeks	Dec 19	Feb 27
Lettuce	Feb 13	Mar 20
Melons	Mar 27	Apr 17
Onions	Dec 12	Feb 20 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 6	Mar 6 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 20	Apr 17
Squash	Mar 27	Apr 17
Tomatoes	Feb 6	Apr 3

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 4. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 23. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 15.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Virginia Beach, VA	Mar 17	Nov 23	~120 km
Washington, DC	Mar 24	Nov 18	~151 km
Baltimore, MD	Apr 10	Oct 31	~193 km
Raleigh, NC	Mar 31	Nov 4	~220 km
Roanoke, VA	Apr 3	Nov 1	~235 km
Greensboro, NC	Mar 30	Nov 5	~279 km

More: all Virginia frost dates