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Frost dates and planting calendar for Richmond, Virginia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
7b[1]
Median last spring frost
Apr 3[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 4[3]
Growing season, median
215 days[4]

Richmond, Virginia sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 3, the median last frost date[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 19, half of years Apr 3, 1 in 10 years after Apr 18Last frostmedian Apr 3First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 19, half of years Nov 4, 1 in 10 years before Oct 23First frostmedian Nov 4Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 6 to Mar 20Mar 6 to Mar 20Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 20 to Apr 3Mar 20 to Apr 3TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 3around Apr 3Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 17from Apr 17
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

Frost dates here come from NOAA climate normals for the Richmond International Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. They are odds, not promises. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 19, in half of years after April 3, and in 1 of 10 years after April 18[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before October 23 in 1 of 10 years and before November 4 in half of years[3]. Any single year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 19 after April 3 after April 18
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 23 before November 4 before November 19
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 22, median first fall date November 15[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 195 days in 9 of 10 years, 215 days in half of years and 236 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Richmond International Airport (USW00013740), 8.7 miles from the city center, 164 feet, 29 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

The planting dates use Colorado State University Extension's vegetable guide, which was written for Colorado[6]. GardenFacts applies its rules to Richmond's median last frost of April 3[6]. Hardy crops such as peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as March 6 to March 20[6]. Tender crops such as snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around April 3[9]. Very tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, with April 17 as the earliest start[10].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 3) is March 6 to March 20[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 3) is March 20, up to the median date itself[11]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 3[9]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 3), is April 17[10]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 10 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 30 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 25
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 5
Onions (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Jun 24
Peas (hardy)[12] Mar 6 May 10
Radishes (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 5
Spinach (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 15
Turnips (hardy)[12] Mar 6 Apr 25
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 19
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 29
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 29
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 Jul 23
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 20 May 19
Snap beans (tender)[12] Apr 3 Jun 2
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Apr 3 Jun 2
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Apr 3 May 28
Summer squash (tender)[12] Apr 3 May 23
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 11
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 16 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 26 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jun 21 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 26
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Apr 17 Jul 11
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 7b means the coldest winter night averages 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is about winter cold, not summer heat or frost dates[14]. USDA describes the map as the standard for judging which perennial plants are most likely to thrive in a place[14]. By land area, 100% of Richmond lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b[15].

Zone 7b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 5°F to 10°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 7.4°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 7b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 7b and what zone 7b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
23225[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23224[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23234[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23220[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23235[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23223[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23222[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23221[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23226[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23227[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23219[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23230[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23231[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23173[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
23113[15] 7b 5 to 10°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Richmond, Virginia?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Richmond in zone 7b[1]. By land area, 100% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b[15].
When is the last frost in Richmond?
The median last spring frost is April 3[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 18[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Richmond?
CSU Extension says tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[10]. For Richmond the earliest start is April 17[10].
When is the first frost in Richmond?
The median first fall frost is November 4[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before October 23[3].
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
In half of years the growing season is at least 215 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it is at least 195 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Richmond, Virginia in zone 7b. Zone 7b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 7.4°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 19, in half of years after April 3, and in 1 of 10 years after April 18 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 3. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 23, in half of years before November 4, and in 9 of 10 years before November 19 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 4. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 195 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 215 days in half of years, and at least 236 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Richmond International Airport weather station (USW00013740), 8.7 miles from the center of Richmond at 164 feet, using 29 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 22 and the median first fall date is November 15. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Richmond, Virginia overlaps 15 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.