Frost Dates for Elkton, VA 22827
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 8 · 157 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 22827 has about 10,500 people.
Moderate season: 157 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 18 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 19 (22 days).
Frost probability for 22827
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 4 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 8 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LURAY 5 E (37.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 157-day season in Elkton
In Elkton (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 30 | May 18–May 25 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 18. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 18. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 13. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 18. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 220 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 9. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 6. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 6. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 262 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 213 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 11. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 27. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 6. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after May 18. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 25. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 11. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 157 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 157 available after May 11. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 18. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 18. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 136 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 136 available after May 11. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 18. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 11. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 11. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Elkton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Elkton, VA (ZIP 22827)?
The median last spring frost date for Elkton, VA (ZIP code 22827) is around May 4. 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Elkton, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Elkton, VA is around October 8. 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 September 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elkton, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Elkton is about 157 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 Elkton (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Elkton, VA?
Elkton, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Elkton, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Elkton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elkton?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Elkton?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ruckersville (ZIP 22968) has 195 frost-free days, 38 more than Elkton (ZIP 22827). See Ruckersville ZIP 22968 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Stanardsville, VA 22973 (8.6 mi)
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- Frost dates for Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (14.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Ruckersville, VA 22968 (15.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Luray, VA 22835 (21.2 mi)
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