Reston, VA planting zone & frost dates
Reston is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 14 and the first fall frost around October 29, for a growing season of about 198 days.
Planting calendar for Reston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 14) 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 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 29).
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 30 | Apr 14 | Apr 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 11 | Oct 29 | Oct 17 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 17. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Reston
- 20190 zone 7b
- 20191 zone 7b
- 20194 zone 7b
- 20195 zone 7b
- 20196 zone 7b
- 22096 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Dranesville zone 7b, last frost Apr 15
- Herndon zone 7b, last frost Apr 15
- Great Falls zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- Wolf Trap zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- Oak Hill zone 7b, last frost Apr 15
- Sugarland Run zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
- Lowes Island zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
- Sterling zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
Questions
What growing zone is Reston, VA?
Reston 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 Reston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Reston is April 14. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Reston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 21 – Apr 28. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Vienna, VA (USC00448737), 9.6 km (6.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 127 m, based on 20 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.