When to plant in Roanoke, VA
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Roanoke, Virginia — all computed from Roanoke's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7b, Roanoke supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
ROANOKE RGNL 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 Roanoke’s own odds, recorded at ROANOKE RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 7 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
| 32°F | Apr 18 | Apr 3 | Mar 19 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
| 28°F | Apr 7 | Mar 22 | Mar 4 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 | Dec 1 |
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 Roanoke, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 27 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.
Roanoke planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Roanoke, VA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Roanoke around April 3 (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 Roanoke, VA?
The first fall frost in Roanoke typically arrives around November 1 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Roanoke in?
Roanoke 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 Roanoke?
Roanoke has about 212 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Roanoke?
For Roanoke, 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 Roanoke
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Roanoke’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cave Spring · 7 km
- Hollins · 7 km
- Salem · 9 km
- Blacksburg · 42 km
- Christiansburg · 42 km
- Radford · 56 km
- Forest · 61 km
- Timberlake · 63 km
Frost dates recorded at ROANOKE RGNL AP, 5 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 Roanoke, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013741. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/roanoke.