Frost Dates for Stafford, VA 22554
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 25 · 195 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 22554 has about 65,500 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Stafford.
Long season: 195 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 28 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 12 (36 days).
Frost probability for 22554
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 13 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 25 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WARRENTON 3 SE (44.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Stafford, VA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22554 | April 13 | October 25 | 7b |
| 22556 | April 20 | October 19 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 195-day season in Stafford
In Stafford (195 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 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 23. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 258 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 16. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 16. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 300 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 251 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 20. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 6. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 16. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 20. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 195 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 20. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 174 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 20. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 27. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 13. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 20. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 20. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Stafford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 12), Pumpkin (Jun 12), Cantaloupe (Jun 20), Celery (Jun 20), Melons (Jun 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 22), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 5), Corn (Jul 7), Sunflowers (Jul 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 24), Pole Beans (Jul 24), Basil (Jul 29), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 3), Okra (Aug 3), Yellow Squash (Aug 3), Zucchini (Aug 3), Cauliflower (Aug 4), Beans (Aug 5), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 2), Scallions (Sep 2), Bok Choy (Sep 3), Lettuce (Sep 3), Kale (Sep 7), Kohlrabi (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 25). First frost around October 25. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 15). |
| 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 Stafford, VA (ZIP 22554)?
The median last spring frost date for Stafford, VA (ZIP code 22554) is around April 13. 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 30; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Stafford, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Stafford, VA is around October 25. 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 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Stafford, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Stafford is about 195 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 Stafford (195 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 Stafford, VA?
Stafford, 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 Stafford, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Stafford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Stafford?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Stafford?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Stafford?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Dumfries (ZIP 22026) has 211 frost-free days, 16 more than Stafford (ZIP 22554). See Dumfries ZIP 22026 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Stafford, VA 22556 (8.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Fredericksburg, VA 22406 (9.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Triangle, VA 22172 (10.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Dumfries, VA 22026 (11.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (14.2 mi)
- When to plant in VA
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- When to plant Cucumbers in VA
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- When to plant Basil in VA
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- Look up another ZIP