When to plant in Franconia, VA
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Franconia, Virginia — all computed from Franconia's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Franconia, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
WASHINGTON REAGAN AP · 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 Franconia’s own odds, recorded at WASHINGTON REAGAN AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 14 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F | Apr 6 | Mar 24 | Mar 7 | Nov 5 | Nov 18 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 12 | Feb 23 | Nov 14 | Dec 3 | Dec 24 |
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 Franconia, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Franconia planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Franconia, VA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Franconia around March 24 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Franconia, VA?
Expect Franconia's first fall frost near November 18 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Franconia in?
Franconia 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 Franconia?
There are roughly 239 frost-free days in Franconia (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 24 to the first fall frost near November 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Franconia?
In Franconia, start tomato seeds indoors around January 27–February 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 31 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Franconia
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Franconia’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Kingstowne · 1 km
- Springfield · 3 km
- Rose Hill · 5 km
- Groveton · 5 km
- Newington · 5 km
- Lincolnia · 5 km
- Woodlawn · 5 km
- West Springfield · 6 km
Frost dates recorded at WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, 14 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 Franconia, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013743. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/franconia.