When to plant in South Riding, VA
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in South Riding, Virginia — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7a, South Riding supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
The average first fall frost in South Riding is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
WASHINGTON DC DULLES 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 South Riding’s own odds, recorded at WASHINGTON DC DULLES AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | Apr 29 | Apr 12 | Oct 2 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | Apr 30 | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Mar 18 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
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 South Riding, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
South Riding planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in South Riding, VA?
On average, the last spring frost in South Riding is around April 15 (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 South Riding, VA?
Expect South Riding's first fall frost near October 24 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is South Riding in?
South Riding 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 South Riding?
South Riding has about 192 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 24).
When should I plant tomatoes in South Riding?
For South Riding, sow tomatoes indoors about February 18–March 4 and move the seedlings out around April 22, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in South Riding
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to South Riding’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Stone Ridge · 4 km
- Chantilly · 7 km
- Loudoun Valley Estates · 8 km
- Brambleton · 8 km
- McNair · 10 km
- Franklin Farm · 10 km
- Centreville · 10 km
- Broadlands · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at WASHINGTON DC DULLES 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 South Riding, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093738. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/south-riding.