Last frost date in Fairfax, VA

Average last frost
April 14

In Fairfax, the last spring frost comes around April 14 in an average year. Wait until April 28 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 29, which leaves 198 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 17 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 28
Average first frost
Oct 29
Frost-free season
198 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 2
Next 7 nights in Fairfax

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2338°
  3. SatOct 2439°
  4. SunOct 2540°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 14First frost Oct 29198 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND198 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Vienna, 2.7 miles from Fairfax.

Planting calendar for Fairfax

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 21–May 5
PumpkinsApr 28–May 12
SunflowersApr 14–May 5
CucumbersApr 28–May 5
CornApr 21–May 5
Sweet potatoesMay 5–May 19
WatermelonApr 28–May 12
Green beansApr 21–May 12
ZucchiniApr 21–May 5
OkraMay 5–May 19
PeppersApr 28–May 12
BasilApr 21–May 5
Butternut squashApr 21–May 5
CantaloupeApr 28–May 12
EggplantApr 28–May 12
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 17–Mar 31
OnionsMar 3–Mar 24
CarrotsMar 24–Apr 28
LettuceMar 31–Apr 21
BroccoliMar 17–Mar 31
BeetsMar 17–Apr 28
PeasMar 3–Mar 17
CabbageMar 17–Mar 31
RadishesMar 10–Apr 21
Brussels sproutsMar 31–Apr 14
SpinachMar 3–Mar 24
CilantroMar 31–Apr 21
KaleMar 17–Mar 31
Collard greensMar 17–Mar 31
TurnipsMar 17–Mar 31
DillApr 14–Apr 28
CeleryApr 21–Apr 28
CauliflowerMar 31–Apr 14
LeeksMar 31–Apr 14
Swiss chardMar 31–Apr 28
ParsleyMar 31–Apr 21
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 15–Nov 19
GarlicOct 8–Nov 12
Daffodil bulbsOct 1–Nov 12
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 17–Mar 31
AsparagusMar 17–Mar 31

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 30Apr 14Apr 28Oct 17Oct 29Nov 11
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 18Apr 2Apr 16Oct 26Nov 8Nov 23

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 Vienna (USC00448737) sits 2.7 miles from the center of Fairfax at 418 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 Fairfax, VA?

The average last frost date in Fairfax is April 14, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 28.

When is the first frost in Fairfax?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 29. One year in ten it arrives before October 17.

How long is the growing season in Fairfax?

About 198 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fairfax?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 21 to May 5. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia