Last frost date in Staunton, VA

Average last frost

April 15

The average last frost in Staunton is April 15. By May 6 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 191 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 11 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 6
Average first frost: Oct 27
Frost-free season: 191 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 3

Next 7 nights in Staunton

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 33°F

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

ThuOct 2239°
FriOct 2333°possible frost
SatOct 2433°possible frost
SunOct 2535°possible frost
MonOct 2641°
TueOct 2744°
WedOct 2843°

Frost risk through the year at Staunton Water Plant, 1.4 miles from Staunton.

Planting calendar for Staunton

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 22–May 6

PumpkinsApr 29–May 13

SunflowersApr 15–May 6

CucumbersApr 29–May 6

CornApr 22–May 6

Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20

WatermelonApr 29–May 13

Green beansApr 22–May 13

ZucchiniApr 22–May 6

OkraMay 6–May 20

PeppersApr 29–May 13

BasilApr 22–May 6

Butternut squashApr 22–May 6

CantaloupeApr 29–May 13

EggplantApr 29–May 13

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1

OnionsMar 4–Mar 25

CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29

LettuceApr 1–Apr 22

BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1

BeetsMar 18–Apr 29

PeasMar 4–Mar 18

CabbageMar 18–Apr 1

RadishesMar 11–Apr 22

Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15

SpinachMar 4–Mar 25

CilantroApr 1–Apr 22

KaleMar 18–Apr 1

Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1

TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1

DillApr 15–Apr 29

CeleryApr 22–Apr 29

CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15

LeeksApr 1–Apr 15

Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29

ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17

GarlicOct 6–Nov 10

Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1

AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Apr 1	Apr 15	May 6	Oct 11	Oct 27	Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°F	Mar 19	Apr 3	Apr 18	Oct 22	Nov 5	Nov 20

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 Staunton Water Plant (USC00448062) sits 1.4 miles from the center of Staunton at 169 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 Staunton, VA?

The average last frost date in Staunton is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 6.

When is the first frost in Staunton?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 11.

How long is the growing season in Staunton?

About 191 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Staunton?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia