Fredericksburg, VA planting zone & frost dates
Fredericksburg is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around November 1, for a growing season of about 207 days.
Planting calendar for Fredericksburg
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) 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 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 6 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 1).
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 23 | Apr 6 | Apr 22 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 12 | Nov 1 | Oct 19 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 22, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 19. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 27.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Fredericksburg
- 22401 zone 7b
- 22402 zone 7b
- 22403 zone 7a
- 22404 zone 7b
- 22405 zone 7b
- 22406 zone 7a
- 22407 zone 7a
- 22408 zone 7b
- 22412 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Cherry Hill zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Montclair zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Dale City zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
- Lake Ridge zone 7b, last frost Apr 12
- Buckhall zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Manassas zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Lorton zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- Linton Hall zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
Questions
What growing zone is Fredericksburg, VA?
Fredericksburg 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 7a.
When is the last frost in Fredericksburg?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Fredericksburg is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 22.
When can I plant tomatoes in Fredericksburg?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Fredericksburg Sewage, VA (USC00443204), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 18 m, based on 21 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.