Roanoke, VA planting zone & frost dates
Roanoke is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 3 and the first fall frost around November 1, for a growing season of about 210 days.
Planting calendar for Roanoke
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 3) 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 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
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 19 | Apr 3 | Apr 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 15 | Nov 1 | Oct 18 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 18. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 22.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Roanoke
- 24001 zone 7b
- 24002 zone 7b
- 24003 zone 7b
- 24004 zone 7b
- 24005 zone 7b
- 24006 zone 7b
- 24007 zone 7b
- 24008 zone 7b
- 24009 zone 7b
- 24010 zone 7b
- 24012 zone 7b
- 24013 zone 7b
- 24014 zone 7b
- 24015 zone 7b
- 24016 zone 7b
- 24017 zone 7b
- 24018 zone 7b
- 24019 zone 7b
- 24020 zone 7b
- 24022 zone 7b
- 24023 zone 7b
- 24024 zone 7b
- 24025 zone 7b
- 24026 zone 7b
- 24027 zone 7b
- 24028 zone 7b
- 24029 zone 7b
- 24030 zone 7b
- 24031 zone 7b
- 24032 zone 7b
- 24033 zone 7b
- 24034 zone 7b
- 24035 zone 7b
- 24036 zone 7b
- 24037 zone 7b
- 24038 zone 7b
- 24040 zone 7b
- 24042 zone 7b
- 24043 zone 7b
- 24050 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Hollins zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
- Cave Spring zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Salem zone 7b, last frost Apr 3
- Blacksburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 24
- Christiansburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 19
- Martinsville zone 7b, last frost Apr 24
- Radford zone 7a, last frost Apr 26
- Timberlake zone 7b, last frost Apr 15
Questions
What growing zone is Roanoke, VA?
Roanoke 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 Roanoke?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Roanoke is April 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Roanoke?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 10 – Apr 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Roanoke Rgnl Ap, VA (USW00013741), 5.9 km (3.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 358 m, based on 30 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.