Richmond, VA planting zone & frost dates
Richmond is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 3 and the first fall frost around November 4, for a growing season of about 215 days.
Planting calendar for Richmond
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 3) 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 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
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 19 | Apr 3 | Apr 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 19 | Nov 4 | Oct 23 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 18, 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 22.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Richmond
- 23173 zone 7b
- 23218 zone 7b
- 23219 zone 7b
- 23220 zone 7b
- 23221 zone 7b
- 23222 zone 7b
- 23223 zone 7b
- 23224 zone 7b
- 23225 zone 7b
- 23226 zone 7b
- 23227 zone 7b
- 23230 zone 7b
- 23232 zone 7b
- 23234 zone 7b
- 23235 zone 7b
- 23236 zone 7b
- 23237 zone 7b
- 23241 zone 7b
- 23249 zone 7b
- 23250 zone 7b
- 23260 zone 7b
- 23261 zone 7b
- 23269 zone 7b
- 23274 zone 7b
- 23276 zone 7b
- 23278 zone 7b
- 23279 zone 7b
- 23282 zone 7b
- 23285 zone 7b
- 23286 zone 7b
- 23289 zone 7b
- 23290 zone 7b
- 23291 zone 7b
- 23292 zone 7b
- 23293 zone 7b
- 23295 zone 7b
- 23297 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Lakeside zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- East Highland Park zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Laurel zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Bon Air zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Tuckahoe zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Mechanicsville zone 7b, last frost Apr 7
- Meadowbrook zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Glen Allen zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
Questions
What growing zone is Richmond, VA?
Richmond 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 Richmond?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Richmond is April 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Richmond?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 10 – Apr 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Richmond Intl Ap, VA (USW00013740), 13.5 km (8.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 50 m, based on 29 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.