Nora 4 SSE, VA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Nora 4 SSE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
201 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 29 Apr 14 May 5
First fall frost Nov 12 Nov 1 Oct 21
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 31 · first Nov 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NORA 4 SSE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Nora 4 SSE

Computed from Nora 4 SSE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 17 – Mar 3 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🫑 Peppers Feb 3 – Feb 17 Apr 28 – May 5
🥬 Lettuce Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 17 – Apr 14
🫛 Peas Mar 3 – Mar 17
🥕 Carrots Mar 24 – Apr 14
🥦 Broccoli Feb 24 – Mar 10 Mar 24 – Apr 7
🥬 Kale Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 17 – Mar 31
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 17 – Mar 24 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🥒 Zucchini Mar 17 – Mar 24 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 21 – Apr 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 21 – Apr 28
🌿 Basil Mar 3 – Mar 17 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 20 – Oct 18

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Nora 4 SSE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Nora 4 SSE

With roughly 201 frost-free days, Nora 4 SSE gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 1 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Nora 4 SSE, VA?

The average last spring frost in Nora 4 SSE is around Apr 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Nora 4 SSE, VA?

The average first fall frost in Nora 4 SSE arrives around Nov 1. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Nora 4 SSE?

About 201 frost-free days on average, from Apr 14 to Nov 1. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Nora 4 SSE in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.