John H Kerr Dam, VA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every John H Kerr Dam garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
210 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 20 Apr 5 Apr 19
First fall frost Nov 14 Nov 1 Oct 20
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 24 · first Nov 11

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the JOHN H KERR DAM station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for John H Kerr Dam

Computed from John H Kerr Dam's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 8 – Feb 22 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🫑 Peppers Jan 25 – Feb 8 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🥬 Lettuce Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 8 – Apr 5
🫛 Peas Feb 22 – Mar 8
🥕 Carrots Mar 15 – Apr 5
🥦 Broccoli Feb 15 – Mar 1 Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥬 Kale Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 8 – Mar 22
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🥒 Zucchini Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 12 – Apr 19
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 12 – Apr 19
🌿 Basil Feb 22 – Mar 8 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 20 – Oct 18

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use John H Kerr Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in John H Kerr Dam

With roughly 210 frost-free days, John H Kerr Dam gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 1 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in John H Kerr Dam, VA?

The average last spring frost in John H Kerr Dam is around Apr 5, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in John H Kerr Dam, VA?

The average first fall frost in John H Kerr Dam arrives around Nov 1. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in John H Kerr Dam?

About 210 frost-free days on average, from Apr 5 to Nov 1. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is John H Kerr Dam in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.