Frost Dates for Roanoke, VA 24017
Roanoke has 11 ZIP codes. The Roanoke, VA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 21 · 184 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 24017 has about 23,700 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Roanoke.
Long season: 184 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–May 6 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 4 (29 days).
Frost probability for 24017
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 20 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 21 | November 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROCKY MT (36.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 184-day season in Roanoke
In Roanoke (184 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 30. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 23. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 23. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 23. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 289 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 240 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 13. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 23. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 27. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 184 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 27. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 163 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 27. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 20. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Roanoke
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +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 Roanoke, VA (ZIP 24017)?
The median last spring frost date for Roanoke, VA (ZIP code 24017) is around April 20. 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 3; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Roanoke, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Roanoke, 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 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Roanoke, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Roanoke is about 184 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 Roanoke (184 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 Roanoke, VA?
Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Roanoke. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Roanoke?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Roanoke?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Roanoke?
Yes: plant out May 4 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?
Vinton (ZIP 24179) has 192 frost-free days, 8 more than Roanoke (ZIP 24017). See Vinton ZIP 24179 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Roanoke, VA 24013 (4.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Roanoke, VA 24018 (6.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Salem, VA 24153 (6.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Vinton, VA 24179 (10.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Moneta, VA 24121 (21 mi)
- When to plant in Roanoke, VA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in VA
- When to plant Peppers in VA
- When to plant Cucumbers in VA
- When to plant Zucchini in VA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in VA
- When to plant Basil in VA
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- Look up another ZIP