When to plant in McLean, VA
USDA Zone 7bMcLean, Virginia frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 7b, McLean supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
DALECARLIA RSVR · 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 McLean’s own odds, recorded at DALECARLIA RSVR.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 10 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F | Apr 26 | Apr 9 | Mar 27 | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 12 | Mar 30 | Mar 12 | Oct 29 | Nov 9 | Nov 27 |
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 McLean, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
McLean planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in McLean, VA?
Plan for the last spring frost in McLean around April 9 (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 McLean, VA?
The first fall frost in McLean typically arrives around October 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is McLean in?
McLean 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 McLean?
McLean has about 205 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 9) and first fall frost (October 31).
When should I plant tomatoes in McLean?
For McLean, sow tomatoes indoors about February 12–February 26 and move the seedlings out around April 16, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in McLean
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to McLean’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Tysons · 4 km
- Idylwood · 6 km
- Falls Church · 7 km
- Vienna · 8 km
- Potomac · 8 km
- Wolf Trap · 8 km
- Bethesda · 8 km
- West Falls Church · 9 km
Frost dates recorded at DALECARLIA RSVR, 7 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 McLean, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00182325. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/mclean.