Frost Dates for Franklin, VA 23851
Last spring frost April 8 · First fall frost October 29 · 204 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 23851 has about 13,200 people.
Long season: 204 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 24–April 22 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 14 (33 days).
Frost probability for 23851
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 8 | March 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 29 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JACKSON (50.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 204-day season in Franklin
In Franklin (204 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 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 246 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 18. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 11–Apr 22 | 267 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 11. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 11–Apr 1 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 11. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 11. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 309 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 4–Apr 29 | 260 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 15. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 22. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 1. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 11. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 22. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Mar 4 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 11–Apr 1 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 15. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 204 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 15. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Sage | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 183 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 15. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 22. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 8. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Franklin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 14), Lavender (Jan 14), Onion (Jan 14), Rosemary (Jan 14), Celery (Jan 28), Collards (Jan 28), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 11), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 11), Cabbage (Feb 11), Lettuce (Feb 11), Sage (Feb 11), Swiss Chard (Feb 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 11), Beets (Feb 11), Dill (Feb 11), Peas (Feb 11), Radish (Feb 11), Spinach (Feb 11), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 4), Tomato (Mar 4), Bok Choy (Mar 11), Corn (Mar 11), Cosmos (Mar 11), Nasturtiums (Mar 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 11), Turnip (Mar 11), Carrots (Mar 18), Potatoes (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 4). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 8), Beans (Apr 15), Pole Beans (Apr 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 8), Lavender (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Mint (Apr 8), +25 more. Last frost around April 8. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| 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 Franklin, VA (ZIP 23851)?
The median last spring frost date for Franklin, VA (ZIP code 23851) is around April 8. 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 24; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Franklin, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Franklin, VA is around October 29. 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 Franklin, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Franklin is about 204 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 Franklin (204 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 Franklin, VA?
Franklin, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (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 Franklin, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 4 and plant out Apr 22 in Franklin. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Franklin?
Two: plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Franklin?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Franklin?
Yes: plant out Apr 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Suffolk (ZIP 23434) has 222 frost-free days, 18 more than Franklin (ZIP 23851). See Suffolk ZIP 23434 frost dates
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