Richmond, VA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
215 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
7b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 19 Apr 3 Apr 18
First fall frost Nov 19 Nov 4 Oct 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 22 · first Nov 15

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Richmond International Airport station (11 km from central Richmond). "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 Richmond

Computed from Richmond'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 6 – Feb 20 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🫑 Peppers Jan 23 – Feb 6 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🥬 Lettuce Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 6 – Apr 3
🫛 Peas Feb 20 – Mar 6
🥕 Carrots Mar 13 – Apr 3
🥦 Broccoli Feb 13 – Feb 27 Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥬 Kale Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 6 – Mar 20
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 6 – Mar 13 Apr 10 – Apr 17 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🥒 Zucchini Mar 6 – Mar 13 Apr 10 – Apr 17 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 10 – Apr 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 10 – Apr 17
🌿 Basil Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 10 – Apr 17 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 23 – Oct 21

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 Richmond's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Richmond

With roughly 215 frost-free days, Richmond 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 4 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Richmond, VA?

The average last spring frost in Richmond is around Apr 3, 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 Richmond, VA?

The average first fall frost in Richmond arrives around Nov 4. 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 Richmond?

About 215 frost-free days on average, from Apr 3 to Nov 4. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Richmond 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.