Last frost date in Lynchburg, VA

Average last frost
April 17

In Lynchburg, the last spring frost comes around April 17 in an average year. Wait until May 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 25, which leaves 190 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 12 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 4
Average first frost
Oct 25
Frost-free season
190 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 2
Next 7 nights in Lynchburg

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2239°
  2. FriOct 2337°
  3. SatOct 2437°
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2640°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 17First frost Oct 25190 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND190 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lynchburg #2, 2.4 miles from Lynchburg.

Planting calendar for Lynchburg

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 24–May 8
PumpkinsMay 1–May 15
SunflowersApr 17–May 8
CucumbersMay 1–May 8
CornApr 24–May 8
Sweet potatoesMay 8–May 22
WatermelonMay 1–May 15
Green beansApr 24–May 15
ZucchiniApr 24–May 8
OkraMay 8–May 22
PeppersMay 1–May 15
BasilApr 24–May 8
Butternut squashApr 24–May 8
CantaloupeMay 1–May 15
EggplantMay 1–May 15
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 20–Apr 3
OnionsMar 6–Mar 27
CarrotsMar 27–May 1
LettuceApr 3–Apr 24
BroccoliMar 20–Apr 3
BeetsMar 20–May 1
PeasMar 6–Mar 20
CabbageMar 20–Apr 3
RadishesMar 13–Apr 24
Brussels sproutsApr 3–Apr 17
SpinachMar 6–Mar 27
CilantroApr 3–Apr 24
KaleMar 20–Apr 3
Collard greensMar 20–Apr 3
TurnipsMar 20–Apr 3
DillApr 17–May 1
CeleryApr 24–May 1
CauliflowerApr 3–Apr 17
LeeksApr 3–Apr 17
Swiss chardApr 3–May 1
ParsleyApr 3–Apr 24
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 11–Nov 15
GarlicOct 4–Nov 8
Daffodil bulbsSep 27–Nov 8
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 20–Apr 3
AsparagusMar 20–Apr 3

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 3Apr 17May 4Oct 12Oct 25Nov 6
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 18Apr 2Apr 15Oct 20Nov 3Nov 18

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 Lynchburg #2 (USC00445117) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Lynchburg at 736 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 Lynchburg, VA?

The average last frost date in Lynchburg is April 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 4.

When is the first frost in Lynchburg?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 25. One year in ten it arrives before October 12.

How long is the growing season in Lynchburg?

About 190 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lynchburg?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 24 to May 8. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia