Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for West Lynchburg, VA
Plan your garden around West Lynchburg, VA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 17
Safe May 4
Typical Apr 17
Risky Apr 3
First Fall Frost
October 25
Safe Oct 12
Typical Oct 25
Risky Nov 6
Growing Season
190 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 7b
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station LYNCHBURG #2, VA US, 5.4 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 1 | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Aug 16 – Aug 30 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 20 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Aug 30 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 23 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 16 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Aug 16 – Aug 30 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Aug 16 – Aug 30 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in West Lynchburg, VA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the LYNCHBURG #2, VA US station, the last spring frost in West Lynchburg typically falls around April 17. A cautious gardener might wait until May 4 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 3 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in West Lynchburg, VA in fall?
The first fall frost in West Lynchburg typically arrives around October 25. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 12; in milder years it can hold off until November 6.
How long is the growing season in West Lynchburg, VA?
West Lynchburg's average frost-free growing season is about 190 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 17) to the typical first fall frost (October 25).
What USDA hardiness zone is West Lynchburg, VA in?
West Lynchburg, VA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.