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Alexandria, VA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 22301 · elevation 3′ · NOAA & USDA data

Alexandria is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 241 days between the average last spring frost (March 24) and first fall frost (November 18). The warmest month is July (avg high 89.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 30.1°F). It averages 41.8″ of precipitation a year and 13.7″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8a
min temp 10 to 15°F
Last spring frost
March 24
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 18
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
241 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 89.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Alexandria

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Washington Reagan Ap, VA (2.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 44.8 30.1 37.5 2.9 4.9
February 48.3 31.8 40 2.6 5
March 56.5 38.6 47.6 3.5 2
April 68 48.4 58.2 3.2 0
May 76.5 58 67.2 3.9 0
June 85.1 67.5 76.3 4.2 0
July 89.6 72.4 81 4.3 0
August 87.8 71 79.4 3.3 0
September 80.7 64.1 72.4 3.9 0
October 69.4 52.2 60.8 3.7 0
November 58.2 41.6 49.9 2.9 0.1
December 48.8 34.5 41.7 3.4 1.7

What to plant when in Alexandria

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 10 · Transplant out: March 31
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 27 · Transplant out: April 7
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 31
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 31
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 31
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 31
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 31
PeascoolSow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 23
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 10 · Sow (fall): September 23
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 23
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 9
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 10
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 9
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 24
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 10
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): October 7

Dates are computed from Alexandria's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Virginia

Manassas, VALeesburg, VARichmond, VACharlottesville, VAHarrisonburg, VANewport News, VAHampton, VASuffolk, VA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Washington Reagan Ap, VA, 2.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Washington Reagan Ap, VA, 2.4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.