Last frost date in Petersburg, VA
In Petersburg, the last spring frost comes around April 3 in an average year. Wait until April 17 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 3, which leaves 216 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 21 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 17
- Average first frost
- Nov 3
- Frost-free season
- 216 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 20
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2241°
- FriOct 2339°
- SatOct 2443°
- SunOct 2541°
- MonOct 2643°
- TueOct 2748°
- WedOct 2850°
Planting calendar for Petersburg
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Virginia.
TomatoesApr 10–Apr 24
PumpkinsApr 17–May 1
SunflowersApr 3–Apr 24
CucumbersApr 17–Apr 24
CornApr 10–Apr 24
Sweet potatoesApr 24–May 8
WatermelonApr 17–May 1
Green beansApr 10–May 1
ZucchiniApr 10–Apr 24
OkraApr 24–May 8
PeppersApr 17–May 1
BasilApr 10–Apr 24
Butternut squashApr 10–Apr 24
CantaloupeApr 17–May 1
EggplantApr 17–May 1
PotatoesMar 6–Mar 20
OnionsFeb 20–Mar 13
CarrotsMar 13–Apr 17
LettuceMar 20–Apr 10
BroccoliMar 6–Mar 20
BeetsMar 6–Apr 17
PeasFeb 20–Mar 6
CabbageMar 6–Mar 20
RadishesFeb 27–Apr 10
Brussels sproutsMar 20–Apr 3
SpinachFeb 20–Mar 13
CilantroMar 20–Apr 10
KaleMar 6–Mar 20
Collard greensMar 6–Mar 20
TurnipsMar 6–Mar 20
DillApr 3–Apr 17
CeleryApr 10–Apr 17
CauliflowerMar 20–Apr 3
LeeksMar 20–Apr 3
Swiss chardMar 20–Apr 17
ParsleyMar 20–Apr 10
Tulip bulbsOct 20–Nov 24
GarlicOct 13–Nov 17
Daffodil bulbsOct 6–Nov 17
StrawberriesMar 6–Mar 20
AsparagusMar 6–Mar 20Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | Oct 21 | Nov 3 | Nov 18 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 5 | Mar 20 | Apr 5 | Nov 1 | Nov 16 | Dec 3 |
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 Petersburg (USC00446656) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Petersburg at 19 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 Petersburg, VA?
The average last frost date in Petersburg is April 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 17.
When is the first frost in Petersburg?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 3. One year in ten it arrives before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Petersburg?
About 216 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Petersburg?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 10 to April 24. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Virginia
- HopewellMar 31
- ChesterApr 3
- MeadowbrookApr 3
- RichmondApr 3
- TuckahoeApr 10
- MechanicsvilleApr 10
- Short PumpApr 10
- Newport NewsApr 1
- SuffolkMar 27
- HamptonMar 24
- PortsmouthMar 23
- NorfolkMar 16