Last frost date in Culpeper, VA

Average last frost
April 21

Expect the last frost in Culpeper around April 21. Frost after May 10 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 22, which leaves 184 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 8 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 10
Average first frost
Oct 22
Frost-free season
184 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 5
Next 7 nights in Culpeper

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2436°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 22184 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND184 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Boston 4 SE, 7.5 miles from Culpeper.

Planting calendar for Culpeper

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Virginia.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 28–May 12
PumpkinsMay 5–May 19
SunflowersApr 21–May 12
CucumbersMay 5–May 12
CornApr 28–May 12
Sweet potatoesMay 12–May 26
WatermelonMay 5–May 19
Green beansApr 28–May 19
ZucchiniApr 28–May 12
OkraMay 12–May 26
PeppersMay 5–May 19
BasilApr 28–May 12
Butternut squashApr 28–May 12
CantaloupeMay 5–May 19
EggplantMay 5–May 19
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 24–Apr 7
OnionsMar 10–Mar 31
CarrotsMar 31–May 5
LettuceApr 7–Apr 28
BroccoliMar 24–Apr 7
BeetsMar 24–May 5
PeasMar 10–Mar 24
CabbageMar 24–Apr 7
RadishesMar 17–Apr 28
Brussels sproutsApr 7–Apr 21
SpinachMar 10–Mar 31
CilantroApr 7–Apr 28
KaleMar 24–Apr 7
Collard greensMar 24–Apr 7
TurnipsMar 24–Apr 7
DillApr 21–May 5
CeleryApr 28–May 5
CauliflowerApr 7–Apr 21
LeeksApr 7–Apr 21
Swiss chardApr 7–May 5
ParsleyApr 7–Apr 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 8–Nov 12
GarlicOct 1–Nov 5
Daffodil bulbsSep 24–Nov 5
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 24–Apr 7
AsparagusMar 24–Apr 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 5Apr 21May 10Oct 8Oct 22Nov 4
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 23Apr 5Apr 23Oct 17Nov 1Nov 15

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Boston 4 SE (USC00440860) sits 7.5 miles from the center of Culpeper at 590 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Culpeper, VA?

The average last frost date in Culpeper is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 10.

When is the first frost in Culpeper?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 22. One year in ten it arrives before October 8.

How long is the growing season in Culpeper?

About 184 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Culpeper?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 28 to May 12. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia