Arlington, VA planting zone & frost dates
Arlington is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 9 and the first fall frost around October 31, for a growing season of about 202 days.
Planting calendar for Arlington
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 9) 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 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 31).
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 27 | Apr 9 | Apr 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 13 | Oct 31 | Oct 16 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 16. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 30.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Arlington
- 22201 zone 7b
- 22202 zone 8a
- 22203 zone 7b
- 22204 zone 7b
- 22205 zone 7b
- 22206 zone 8a
- 22207 zone 7b
- 22209 zone 8a
- 22210 zone 7b
- 22212 zone 8a
- 22213 zone 7b
- 22214 zone 8a
- 22215 zone 8a
- 22216 zone 7b
- 22217 zone 7b
- 22219 zone 8a
- 22225 zone 7b
- 22226 zone 7b
- 22227 zone 8a
- 22230 zone 7b
- 22240 zone 8a
- 22241 zone 7b
- 22242 zone 8a
- 22243 zone 8a
- 22244 zone 8a
- 22245 zone 8a
- 22246 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Baileys Crossroads zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
- Falls Church zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Lincolnia zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
- West Falls Church zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- McLean zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Rose Hill zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
- Huntington zone 8a, last frost Apr 3
- Alexandria zone 8a, last frost Apr 3
Questions
What growing zone is Arlington, VA?
Arlington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Arlington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Arlington is April 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Arlington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 16 – Apr 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD (USC00182325), 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 46 m, based on 24 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.