When to Plant in Richmond, VA

Richmond sits in the Virginia Piedmont — Zone 7a/7b with a typical last frost around April 6. The capital city's location at the fall line between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain gives it a moderate climate excellent for home gardening.

Richmond's four-season climate supports spring gardens from March through May and excellent fall gardens from August through November. Summers are hot and humid, but the shoulder seasons are outstanding for a wide range of crops.

What to plant now in Richmond

Spring: Cool-season crops in March; tomatoes and peppers after April 6 last frost.
Summer: Maintain warm-season crops. Heat and humidity are intense.
Fall: Outstanding — broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach.
Winter: Garlic overwintering, cool-season crops with protection.

In Richmond (204 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Richmond

Month	What to do
January	Order seeds. Start onion seeds indoors.
February	Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Direct sow spinach with protection.
March	Direct sow peas, lettuce, and spinach. Transplant cold-hardy seedlings.
April	After April 2 — transplant tomatoes and peppers. Plant beans and squash.
May	Full spring garden. Plant cucumbers and corn.
June	Summer maintenance. Water deeply.
July	Start fall seedlings. Harvest summer crops.
August	Plant fall broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.
September	Fall planting: lettuce, spinach, radishes.
October	Plant garlic. Continue fall planting.
November	Harvest fall crops.
December	Harvest cold-hardy greens.

Frost dates for Richmond ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
23223	April 6	October 27	7b
23225	April 6	October 27	7b
23220	April 6	October 27	7b
23237	April 6	October 27	7b
23227	April 6	October 27	7b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Richmond, VA?

Richmond's average last frost date is around April 6 — earlier than the Shenandoah Valley, similar to the Northern Virginia suburbs.

What grows best in Richmond?

Tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans thrive in spring and summer. Fall is excellent for broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach.

How does Plan My Garden help Richmond gardeners?

Enter your Richmond zip code for exact planting dates tuned to the Virginia Piedmont's growing calendar.