Frost Dates for Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Mechanicsville has 2 ZIP codes. The Mechanicsville, VA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 15 · First fall frost October 22 · 190 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 23116 has about 34,200 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Mechanicsville.
Long season: 190 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–April 27 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 7 (30 days).
Frost probability for 23116
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 27 | April 15 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 22 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ASHLAND (16.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 190-day season in Mechanicsville
In Mechanicsville (190 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 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 6 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 25. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Feb 18–Apr 29 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 18. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18–Apr 8 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 18. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 18. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 295 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 11–May 6 | 246 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 29. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 8. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 18. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 29. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 11 | May 6–May 6 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 18–Apr 8 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 22. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 4 | Apr 22–May 6 | 190 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 22. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Sage | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 21 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 29. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 169 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 22. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 29. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 15. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 22. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 22. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Mechanicsville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 21), Lavender (Jan 21), Onion (Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Oregano (Feb 4), Parsley (Feb 4), Scallions (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 18), Beets (Feb 18), Dill (Feb 18), Peas (Feb 18), Radish (Feb 18), Spinach (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), Basil (Mar 11), Tomato (Mar 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 4), Cilantro (Mar 18), Turnip (Mar 18), Carrots (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 18), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 18), Cabbage (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), Kale (Mar 18), Lettuce (Mar 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 11). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pumpkin (Apr 1), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 1), Watermelon (Apr 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 1), Sunflowers (Apr 15), Beans (Apr 22), Pole Beans (Apr 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 15), Lavender (Apr 15), +26 more. Last frost around April 15. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 6). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| 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 Mechanicsville, VA (ZIP 23116)?
The median last spring frost date for Mechanicsville, VA (ZIP code 23116) is around April 15. 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 2; one in ten it runs past April 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Mechanicsville, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Mechanicsville, VA is around October 22. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mechanicsville, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Mechanicsville is about 190 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 Mechanicsville (190 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 Mechanicsville, VA?
Mechanicsville, 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 Mechanicsville, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 11 and plant out Apr 29 in Mechanicsville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mechanicsville?
Two: plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Mechanicsville?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Mechanicsville?
Yes: plant out Apr 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 22 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Richmond (ZIP 23227) has 204 frost-free days, 14 more than Mechanicsville (ZIP 23116). See Richmond ZIP 23227 frost dates
Nearby and related
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