Frost Dates for Herndon, VA

In Herndon, VA, the average last spring frost is around Apr 15 and the average first fall frost around Oct 24, for a growing season of about 194 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 30, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 1550% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 30only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2450% chance of frost before this date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Washington Dc Dulles Airport, VA weather station, 5 miles away, elevation 290 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 30Oct 10
20%Apr 25Oct 14
30%Apr 21Oct 18
40%Apr 18Oct 21
50%Apr 15Oct 24
60%Apr 11Oct 27
70%Apr 7Oct 30
80%Apr 4Nov 1
90%Mar 31Nov 5

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 29Oct 14
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 15Oct 24
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 1Nov 4

Planting calendar for Herndon

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Apr 29 – May 13
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Apr 29 – May 13
Basil
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25
Sow or transplant Apr 22 – May 6
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25
Sow or transplant Apr 22 – May 6
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 22 – May 6
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25
Sow or transplant Apr 29 – May 13
Green beans
Sow Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 22 – May 6
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18
Sow or transplant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 26
Spinach
Sow Mar 4 – Mar 25
Fall sowing Aug 29 – Sep 19
Peas
Sow Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Kale
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Sow or transplant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Sep 12
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Apr 1 – Apr 15
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Carrots
Sow Mar 25 – Apr 15
Fall sowing Aug 1 – Aug 15
Radishes
Sow Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Sep 12 – Oct 3
Beets
Sow Mar 25 – Apr 15
Fall sowing Aug 15 – Aug 29
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
Plant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Potatoes
Plant Mar 25 – Apr 8
Garlic
Plant Oct 24 – Nov 21

Based on the average last frost (Apr 15) and first frost (Oct 24). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

FairfaxLeesburgManassasAlexandriaWinchesterFredericksburgCharlottesvilleHarrisonburgAll Virginia towns