Front Royal, VA planting zone & frost dates
Front Royal is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 13 and the first fall frost around October 28, for a growing season of about 196 days.
Planting calendar for Front Royal
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 13) 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 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 28).
Useful for zone 7a 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 30 | Apr 13 | May 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 9 | Oct 28 | Oct 14 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Front Royal
- 22630 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Winchester zone 7a, last frost Apr 11
- Culpeper zone 7a, last frost Apr 21
- Gainesville zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Linton Hall zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Leesburg zone 7b, last frost Apr 16
- Broadlands zone 7a, last frost Apr 13
- Bull Run zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- South Riding zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
Questions
What growing zone is Front Royal, VA?
Front Royal 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 Front Royal?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Front Royal is April 13. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Front Royal?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 20 – Apr 27. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Front Royal, VA (USC00443229), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 284 m, based on 25 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.