Frost Dates for Charlottesville, VA 22903
Last spring frost April 16 · First fall frost October 17 · 184 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 22903 has about 40,400 people, the largest of 6 ZIP codes in Charlottesville.
Long season: 184 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–April 28 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 1 (27 days).
Frost probability for 22903
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 16 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 17 | November 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TYE RVR 1 SE (51.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Charlottesville, VA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22903 | April 16 | October 17 | 7b |
| 22901 | April 14 | October 26 | 7b |
| 22902 | April 14 | October 26 | 7b |
| 22911 | April 14 | October 26 | 7b |
| 22904 | April 14 | October 26 | 7b |
| 22908 | April 14 | October 26 | 7b |
Which crops fit a 184-day season in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville (184 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 5 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 26. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Feb 19–Apr 30 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 19. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 19–Apr 9 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 19. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 19. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 289 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 12–May 7 | 240 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 23. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 2 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 9. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 2 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 19. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 12 | May 7–May 7 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 19–Apr 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 23. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 5 | Apr 23–May 7 | 184 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 23. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Jan 22 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 22 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Sage | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Jan 22 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 163 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 23. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 16. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 23. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 23. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Charlottesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 22), Lavender (Jan 22), Onion (Jan 22), Rosemary (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 5), Collards (Feb 5), Kale (Feb 5), Oregano (Feb 5), Parsley (Feb 5), Scallions (Feb 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 19), Beets (Feb 19), Dill (Feb 19), Peas (Feb 19), Radish (Feb 19), Spinach (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 5), Cauliflower (Mar 5), Marigolds (Mar 5), Pepper (Mar 5), Basil (Mar 12), Tomato (Mar 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 5), Cilantro (Mar 19), Turnip (Mar 19), Carrots (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 19), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 19), Cabbage (Mar 19), Collards (Mar 19), Kale (Mar 19), Lettuce (Mar 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 12). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 2), Cantaloupe (Apr 2), Melons (Apr 2), Pumpkin (Apr 2), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 2), Watermelon (Apr 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 2), Sunflowers (Apr 16), Beans (Apr 23), Pole Beans (Apr 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 2), Swiss Chard (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Cauliflower (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 16), Lavender (Apr 16), +26 more. Last frost around April 16. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 7). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Charlottesville, VA (ZIP 22903)?
The median last spring frost date for Charlottesville, VA (ZIP code 22903) is around April 16. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 3; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Charlottesville, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Charlottesville, VA is around October 17. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Charlottesville, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Charlottesville is about 184 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Charlottesville (184 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Charlottesville, VA?
Charlottesville, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Charlottesville, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 12 and plant out Apr 30 in Charlottesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Charlottesville?
Two: plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Charlottesville?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Charlottesville?
Yes: plant out Apr 30 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 17 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Charlottesville (ZIP 22911) has 195 frost-free days, 11 more than Charlottesville (ZIP 22903). See Charlottesville ZIP 22911 frost dates
Nearby and related
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