When to plant in Manchester, VA
USDA Zone 7bManchester, Virginia frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Manchester's nearest full-normals station sits about 20 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. In zone 7b, Manchester supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
RICHMOND INTL 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 Manchester’s own odds, recorded at RICHMOND INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 3 | Apr 16 | Mar 31 | Oct 14 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 18 | Apr 3 | Mar 19 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Mar 4 | Nov 2 | Nov 15 | 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 Manchester, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Manchester planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Manchester, VA?
Manchester's average last spring frost falls near April 3 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Manchester, VA?
Expect Manchester's first fall frost near November 4 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Manchester in?
Manchester 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 Manchester?
Manchester has about 215 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Manchester?
For Manchester, 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 Manchester
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Manchester’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bon Air · 4 km
- Rockwood · 4 km
- Richmond · 8 km
- Meadowbrook · 9 km
- Midlothian · 9 km
- Brandermill · 11 km
- Tuckahoe · 12 km
- Lakeside · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at RICHMOND INTL AP, 20 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 Manchester, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013740. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/manchester.