Martinsville, VA planting zone & frost dates
Martinsville is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 21, for a growing season of about 179 days.
Planting calendar for Martinsville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) 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 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 21).
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 | Apr 11 | Apr 24 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 3 | Oct 21 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 13.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Martinsville
- 24112 zone 7b
- 24113 zone 7b
- 24114 zone 7b
- 24115 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Danville zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
- Cave Spring zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Roanoke zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Salem zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Hollins zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
- Christiansburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 19
- Blacksburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 24
- Radford zone 7a, last frost Apr 26
Questions
What growing zone is Martinsville, VA?
Martinsville 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 Martinsville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Martinsville is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Martinsville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Martinsville Fltr Plt, VA (USC00445300), 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 238 m, based on 26 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.