Frost Dates for Orange, VA 22960
Last spring frost April 24 · First fall frost October 13 · 172 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 22960 has about 11,700 people.
Moderate season: 172 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 7 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 29–October 28 (29 days).
Frost probability for 22960
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 24 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 29 | October 13 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOUISA (20.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 172-day season in Orange
In Orange (172 frost-free days, a moderate 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 20 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 13 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 3. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Feb 27–May 8 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Feb 27. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 27–Apr 17 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 27. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 27. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 277 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 20–May 15 | 228 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 10 | May 8–May 8 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 17. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 27. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 20 | May 15–May 15 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 27–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after May 1. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 13 | May 1–May 15 | 172 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 172 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after May 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 1. | — |
| Sage | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after May 1. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 1. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 8 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 8. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 151 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 151 available after May 1. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Orange
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 30), Lavender (Jan 30), Onion (Jan 30), Rosemary (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Oregano (Feb 13), Parsley (Feb 13), Scallions (Feb 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 27), Beets (Feb 27), Dill (Feb 27), Peas (Feb 27), Radish (Feb 27), Spinach (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 6), Calendula (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Pepper (Mar 13), Basil (Mar 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 13), Cilantro (Mar 27), Turnip (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 27), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), Kale (Mar 27), Lettuce (Mar 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 3), Butternut Squash (Apr 10), Cantaloupe (Apr 10), Melons (Apr 10), Pumpkin (Apr 10), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 3), Potatoes (Apr 10), Sunflowers (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), Bok Choy (Apr 17), Cauliflower (Apr 17), Cosmos (Apr 24), Lavender (Apr 24), +4 more. Last frost around April 24. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 1), Pole Beans (May 1). Transplant from: Celery (May 1), Chives (May 1), Corn (May 1), Okra (May 1), Oregano (May 1), Parsley (May 1), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Orange, VA (ZIP 22960)?
The median last spring frost date for Orange, VA (ZIP code 22960) is around April 24. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Orange, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Orange, VA is around October 13. 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 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Orange, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Orange is about 172 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 Orange (172 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Orange, VA?
Orange, 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 Orange, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 20 and plant out May 8 in Orange. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Orange?
Two: plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Orange?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Gordonsville (ZIP 22942) has 195 frost-free days, 23 more than Orange (ZIP 22960). See Gordonsville ZIP 22942 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Gordonsville, VA 22942 (10.7 mi)
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- Frost dates for Ruckersville, VA 22968 (17.8 mi)
- When to plant in VA
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