Frost Dates for Powhatan, VA 23139
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost October 21 · 187 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 23139 has about 27,800 people.
Long season: 187 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–May 3 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 7 (33 days).
Frost probability for 23139
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 17 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 21 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AMELIA COURTHOUSE (23.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 187-day season in Powhatan
In Powhatan (187 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 13 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 27. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 250 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 20. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 20. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 20. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 292 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 243 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 10. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 20. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 24. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 187 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 24. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after May 1. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 166 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 24. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 17. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Powhatan
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Powhatan, VA (ZIP 23139)?
The median last spring frost date for Powhatan, VA (ZIP code 23139) is around April 17. 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 May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Powhatan, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Powhatan, VA is around October 21. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Powhatan, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Powhatan is about 187 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 Powhatan (187 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 Powhatan, VA?
Powhatan, 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 Powhatan, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in Powhatan. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Powhatan?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Powhatan?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Powhatan?
Yes: plant out May 1 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Chesterfield (ZIP 23832) has 204 frost-free days, 17 more than Powhatan (ZIP 23139). See Chesterfield ZIP 23832 frost dates
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