Frost dates for ZIP 24416 (Buena Vista, VA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Lexington, VA (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)181 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 24416 (Buena Vista)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 24416, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
61°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shenandoah (16 mi), Charlottesville 2 SSE (52 mi).
4-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shenandoah (16 mi), Charlottesville 2 SSE (52 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 24416 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 65°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 8 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 11 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 9 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 3 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 4 | Oct 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 24416
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 23). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 2–23 (transplant) Mar 26–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 12–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Mar 26–Apr 23 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 12–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 12–26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 12–26 | Apr 9–30 (transplant) Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 19–Apr 30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 26–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 14–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 26–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 26–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 26–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 26–Apr 2 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 26–Apr 2 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) May 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 12–26 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 12–26 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Lexington, VA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00444876), elevation 1,097 ft, 5.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montebello Fish Cultural STN, VA | 15 mi | May 2 | Oct 13 |
| Buchanan, VA | 23 mi | Apr 8 | Oct 31 |
| Tye Rvr 1 SE, VA | 24 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 25 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 24416
When is the last frost in 24416?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 24416 is April 23. For a more cautious planting date, use May 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 24416?
The average first fall freeze is October 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 9.
What hardiness zone is 24416?
ZIP 24416 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 24416 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
24555 Glasgow 24483 24435 Fairfield 24450 Lexington 24574 24526 Big Island 24578 24415
Other ZIP codes in Rockbridge County
24415 24435 24439 24450 24472 24473 24483 24555 24578 24579 All Rockbridge County frost dates · Virginia frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.