Frost Dates for Charlottesville, VA 22908
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 26 · 195 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
Long season: 195 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 29 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 9 (28 days).
Frost probability for 22908
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 14 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 26 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PIEDMONT RSCH STN (39.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 195-day season in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville (195 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 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 24. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 258 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 17. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 17. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 300 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 251 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 21. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 28. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 7. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 17. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 28. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 21. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 195 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 21. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 28. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 21. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Charlottesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 20), Lavender (Jan 20), Onion (Jan 20), Rosemary (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Oregano (Feb 3), Parsley (Feb 3), Scallions (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 17), Beets (Feb 17), Dill (Feb 17), Peas (Feb 17), Radish (Feb 17), Spinach (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 3), Cauliflower (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), Basil (Mar 10), Tomato (Mar 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 3), Cilantro (Mar 17), Turnip (Mar 17), Carrots (Mar 24), Potatoes (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 17), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 17), Cabbage (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), Kale (Mar 17), Lettuce (Mar 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 10). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 14), Beans (Apr 21), Pole Beans (Apr 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 14), Lavender (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Mint (Apr 14), +24 more. Last frost around April 14. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 5). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| 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 22908)?
The median last spring frost date for Charlottesville, VA (ZIP code 22908) is around April 14. 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 March 29; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Charlottesville, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Charlottesville, VA is around October 26. 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 12 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 195 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 (195 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 10 and plant out Apr 28 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 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Charlottesville?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Charlottesville?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
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