When to plant in Chester, VA
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Chester, Virginia — all computed from Chester's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7b, Chester supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
PETERSBURG · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Chester’s own odds, recorded at PETERSBURG.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 | Oct 21 | Nov 3 | Nov 18 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Mar 20 | Mar 5 | Nov 1 | Nov 16 | Dec 3 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Chester, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Chester planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Chester, VA?
On average, the last spring frost in Chester is around April 3 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Chester, VA?
The first fall frost in Chester typically arrives around November 3 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Chester in?
Chester is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Chester?
Chester has about 214 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 3).
When should I plant tomatoes in Chester?
For Chester, sow tomatoes indoors about February 6–February 20 and move the seedlings out around April 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Chester
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Chester’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Meadowbrook · 9 km
- Colonial Heights · 11 km
- Hopewell · 14 km
- Petersburg · 17 km
- Rockwood · 18 km
- Manchester · 18 km
- Richmond · 20 km
- Brandermill · 21 km
Frost dates recorded at PETERSBURG, 13 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Chester, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00446656. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/chester.