Frost Dates for Petersburg, VA
In Petersburg, VA, the average last spring frost is around Apr 3 and the average first fall frost around Nov 3, for a growing season of about 216 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 17, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Petersburg, VA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 19 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.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| 20% | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| 30% | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| 40% | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| 50% | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| 60% | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| 70% | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| 80% | Mar 24 | Nov 13 |
| 90% | Mar 20 | Nov 18 |
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.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 | Nov 16 |
Planting calendar for Petersburg
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sow or transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Oct 6
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 29
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 8
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 22
Transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Aug 25
Transplant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Aug 25
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Aug 25
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 13
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 8
Plant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Based on the average last frost (Apr 3) and first frost (Nov 3). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.