Gainesville, VA planting zone & frost dates
Gainesville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 12 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 197 days.
Planting calendar for Gainesville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 12) 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 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 30 | Apr 12 | Apr 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 27 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Gainesville
- 20155 zone 7a
- 20156 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Linton Hall zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Bull Run zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Sudley zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Manassas Park zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Manassas zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- South Riding zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
- Centreville zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
- Buckhall zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
Questions
What growing zone is Gainesville, VA?
Gainesville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Gainesville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Gainesville is April 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Gainesville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 19 – Apr 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Manassas, VA (USC00445204), 12.6 km (7.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 75 m, based on 11 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.