When to plant in Lake Monticello, VA
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lake Monticello, Virginia — all computed from Lake Monticello's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Lake Monticello, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Lake Monticello is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
PALMYRA 3S · 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 Lake Monticello’s own odds, recorded at PALMYRA 3S.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 3 | Apr 19 | Sep 30 | Oct 12 | Oct 24 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 9 | Mar 26 | Oct 15 | Oct 31 | Nov 12 |
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 Lake Monticello, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Lake Monticello planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lake Monticello, VA?
On average, the last spring frost in Lake Monticello is around April 23 (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 Lake Monticello, VA?
In Lake Monticello, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 21 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Lake Monticello in?
Lake Monticello is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Lake Monticello?
There are roughly 181 frost-free days in Lake Monticello (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lake Monticello?
In Lake Monticello, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lake Monticello
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lake Monticello’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Charlottesville · 19 km
- Waynesboro · 53 km
- Stuarts Draft · 63 km
- Culpeper · 68 km
- Wyndham · 68 km
- Short Pump · 69 km
- Staunton · 69 km
- Harrisonburg · 74 km
Frost dates recorded at PALMYRA 3S, 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 Lake Monticello, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00446491. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/lake-monticello.