Frost Dates for McLean, VA 22101
Last spring frost April 10 · First fall frost November 7 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 22101 has about 31,000 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in McLean.
Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 27–April 22 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 15 (19 days).
Frost probability for 22101
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 10 | March 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 7 | November 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VIENNA (11.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in McLean, VA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22101 | April 10 | November 7 | 7b |
| 22102 | April 15 | October 23 | 7b |
Which crops fit a 211-day season in McLean
In McLean (211 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 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 24. | Jul 8 |
| Pepper | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 24. | Jul 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 20. | Sep 5 |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Peas | — | Feb 13–Apr 24 | 274 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 13. | Aug 27 |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Onion | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 246 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13–Apr 3 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 13. | Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 13. | Sep 5 |
| Radish | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 7 | 316 | overwinter: Plant Nov 7 to Nov 28; harvest the following summer. | Nov 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 6–May 1 | 267 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 17. | Jul 20 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 3. | Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 13. | Aug 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 24. | Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | May 1–May 1 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 13–Apr 3 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Parsley | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 17. | Aug 22 |
| Celery | Jan 30 | Apr 17–May 1 | 211 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 17. | Jul 3 |
| Scallions | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Collards | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 24. | Jul 3 |
| Chives | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Oregano | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Sage | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 16 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Melons | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 24. | Jul 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 17. | Aug 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 24. | Jul 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 10. | Aug 1 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 17. | Jul 13 |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 17. | Jul 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
Month by month in McLean
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 16), Lavender (Jan 16), Onion (Jan 16), Rosemary (Jan 16), Celery (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), Sage (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 13), Beets (Feb 13), Dill (Feb 13), Peas (Feb 13), Radish (Feb 13), Spinach (Feb 13), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 6), Tomato (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Corn (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 13), Nasturtiums (Mar 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 13), Turnip (Mar 13), Carrots (Mar 20), Potatoes (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 6). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 10), Beans (Apr 17), Pole Beans (Apr 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Mint (Apr 10), +24 more. Last frost around April 10. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 1). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 25), Pumpkin (Jun 25). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 3), Celery (Jul 3), Melons (Jul 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 5), Tomato (Jul 8), Watermelon (Jul 8), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 1), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 6), Pole Beans (Aug 6), Basil (Aug 11), Cosmos (Aug 11), Cucumber (Aug 11), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 5), Carrots (Sep 5), Beets (Sep 6), Dill (Sep 6), Swiss Chard (Sep 6), Calendula (Sep 11), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 5), Spinach (Oct 5), Radish (Oct 6). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 7). First frost around November 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 28). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for McLean, VA (ZIP 22101)?
The median last spring frost date for McLean, VA (ZIP code 22101) is around April 10. 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 27; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in McLean, VA?
The median first fall frost date for McLean, VA is around November 7. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in McLean, VA?
The frost-free growing season in McLean is about 211 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 McLean (211 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 McLean, VA?
McLean, 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 McLean, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 6 and plant out Apr 24 in McLean. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in McLean?
Two: plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14.
When do I plant garlic in McLean?
Nov 7 to Nov 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in McLean?
Yes: plant out Apr 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 8 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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