When to plant in Salem, VA
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Salem, Virginia — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Salem, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
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 Salem’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 Salem, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Salem planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Salem, VA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Salem 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 Salem, VA?
The first fall frost in Salem typically arrives around November 1 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Salem in?
Salem 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 Salem?
There are roughly 212 frost-free days in Salem (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 3 to the first fall frost near November 1.
When should I plant tomatoes in Salem?
In Salem, start tomato seeds indoors around February 6–February 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Salem
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Salem’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cave Spring · 8 km
- Roanoke · 9 km
- Hollins · 11 km
- Blacksburg · 33 km
- Christiansburg · 35 km
- Radford · 48 km
- Martinsville · 69 km
- Forest · 70 km
Frost dates recorded at ROANOKE RGNL AP, 8 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 Salem, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013741. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/salem.