Last frost date in Sterling, VA

Average last frost
April 13

Expect the last frost in Sterling around April 13. Frost after May 1 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 195 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 11 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 1
Average first frost
Oct 26
Frost-free season
195 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 31
Next 7 nights in Sterling

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2437°
  4. SunOct 2539°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 13First frost Oct 26195 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND195 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Wfo Sterling, 4.8 miles from Sterling.

Planting calendar for Sterling

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 20–May 4
PumpkinsApr 27–May 11
SunflowersApr 13–May 4
CucumbersApr 27–May 4
CornApr 20–May 4
Sweet potatoesMay 4–May 18
WatermelonApr 27–May 11
Green beansApr 20–May 11
ZucchiniApr 20–May 4
OkraMay 4–May 18
PeppersApr 27–May 11
BasilApr 20–May 4
Butternut squashApr 20–May 4
CantaloupeApr 27–May 11
EggplantApr 27–May 11
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 16–Mar 30
OnionsMar 2–Mar 23
CarrotsMar 23–Apr 27
LettuceMar 30–Apr 20
BroccoliMar 16–Mar 30
BeetsMar 16–Apr 27
PeasMar 2–Mar 16
CabbageMar 16–Mar 30
RadishesMar 9–Apr 20
Brussels sproutsMar 30–Apr 13
SpinachMar 2–Mar 23
CilantroMar 30–Apr 20
KaleMar 16–Mar 30
Collard greensMar 16–Mar 30
TurnipsMar 16–Mar 30
DillApr 13–Apr 27
CeleryApr 20–Apr 27
CauliflowerMar 30–Apr 13
LeeksMar 30–Apr 13
Swiss chardMar 30–Apr 27
ParsleyMar 30–Apr 20
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 16–Mar 30
AsparagusMar 16–Mar 30

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 29Apr 13May 1Oct 11Oct 26Nov 7
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 15Mar 31Apr 14Oct 22Nov 4Nov 22

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 Wfo Sterling (USC00448084) sits 4.8 miles from the center of Sterling at 288 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 Sterling, VA?

The average last frost date in Sterling is April 13, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 1.

When is the first frost in Sterling?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 11.

How long is the growing season in Sterling?

About 195 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sterling?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 20 to May 4. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia