Last frost date in Springfield, VA

Average last frost
March 24

The average last frost in Springfield is March 24. By April 6 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 18, which leaves 241 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 5 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 6
Average first frost
Nov 18
Frost-free season
241 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 12
Next 7 nights in Springfield

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2339°
  3. SatOct 2440°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2647°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2849°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 24First frost Nov 18241 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND241 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Washington Reagan Airport, 9.3 miles from Springfield.

Planting calendar for Springfield

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
TomatoesMar 31–Apr 14
PumpkinsApr 7–Apr 21
SunflowersMar 24–Apr 14
CucumbersApr 7–Apr 14
CornMar 31–Apr 14
Sweet potatoesApr 14–Apr 28
WatermelonApr 7–Apr 21
Green beansMar 31–Apr 21
ZucchiniMar 31–Apr 14
OkraApr 14–Apr 28
PeppersApr 7–Apr 21
BasilMar 31–Apr 14
Butternut squashMar 31–Apr 14
CantaloupeApr 7–Apr 21
EggplantApr 7–Apr 21
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 24–Mar 10
OnionsFeb 10–Mar 3
CarrotsMar 3–Apr 7
LettuceMar 10–Mar 31
BroccoliFeb 24–Mar 10
BeetsFeb 24–Apr 7
PeasFeb 10–Feb 24
CabbageFeb 24–Mar 10
RadishesFeb 17–Mar 31
Brussels sproutsMar 10–Mar 24
SpinachFeb 10–Mar 3
CilantroMar 10–Mar 31
KaleFeb 24–Mar 10
Collard greensFeb 24–Mar 10
TurnipsFeb 24–Mar 10
DillMar 24–Apr 7
CeleryMar 31–Apr 7
CauliflowerMar 10–Mar 24
LeeksMar 10–Mar 24
Swiss chardMar 10–Apr 7
ParsleyMar 10–Mar 31
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 4–Dec 9
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 24–Mar 10
AsparagusFeb 24–Mar 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 7Mar 24Apr 6Nov 5Nov 18Dec 6
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 23Mar 12Mar 26Nov 14Dec 3Dec 24

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 Washington Reagan Airport (USW00013743) sits 9.3 miles from the center of Springfield at 10 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 Springfield, VA?

The average last frost date in Springfield is March 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 6.

When is the first frost in Springfield?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 18. One year in ten it arrives before November 5.

How long is the growing season in Springfield?

About 241 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Springfield?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 31 to April 14. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia