Charlottesville, VA planting zone & frost dates
Charlottesville is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 5 and the first fall frost around November 4, for a growing season of about 213 days.
Planting calendar for Charlottesville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 5) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 9 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 4).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 21 | Apr 5 | Apr 19 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 17 | Nov 4 | Oct 23 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 19, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 23. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 24.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Charlottesville
- 22901 zone 7b
- 22902 zone 7b
- 22903 zone 7b
- 22904 zone 7b
- 22905 zone 7b
- 22906 zone 7b
- 22907 zone 7b
- 22908 zone 7b
- 22909 zone 7b
- 22910 zone 7b
- 22911 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Waynesboro zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Harrisonburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Staunton zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Culpeper zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Madison Heights zone 7b, last frost Apr 17
- Lynchburg zone 7b, last frost Apr 17
- Front Royal zone 7a, last frost Apr 13
- West Lynchburg zone 7b, last frost Apr 17
Questions
What growing zone is Charlottesville, VA?
Charlottesville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Charlottesville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Charlottesville is April 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 19.
When can I plant tomatoes in Charlottesville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 12 – Apr 19. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Monticello, VA (USC00445700), 3.1 km (1.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 231 m, based on 20 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.