Last frost date in Harrisonburg, VA

Average last frost
April 21

The average last frost in Harrisonburg is April 21. By May 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 23, which leaves 182 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 9 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 7
Average first frost
Oct 23
Frost-free season
182 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 9
Next 7 nights in Harrisonburg

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 34°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2334°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2434°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2536°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2744°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 23182 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND182 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dale Enterprise, 3.6 miles from Harrisonburg.

Planting calendar for Harrisonburg

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 9–Nov 13
GarlicOct 2–Nov 6
Daffodil bulbsSep 25–Nov 6
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 9Apr 21May 7Oct 9Oct 23Nov 3
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 26Apr 9Apr 21Oct 17Nov 1Nov 14

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 Dale Enterprise (USC00442208) sits 3.6 miles from the center of Harrisonburg at 1,358 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 Harrisonburg, VA?

The average last frost date in Harrisonburg is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.

When is the first frost in Harrisonburg?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 23. One year in ten it arrives before October 9.

How long is the growing season in Harrisonburg?

About 182 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Harrisonburg?

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