Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 24243 (Dryden, VA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Pennington Gap, VA (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)179 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 24243 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring early March to early April; fall late August to mid-September.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 7 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 20: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 9 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 10 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 24243
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 20). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 1–22 (transplant) Mar 25–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 11–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Mar 25–Apr 22 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 11–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 11–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 25–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–29 (transplant) Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 18–Apr 29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 25–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 13–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 11–25 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 11–25 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Pennington Gap, VA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00446626), elevation 1,360 ft, 5.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap, VA | 8 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Skyline 1 SE, KY | 21 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 28 |
| Whitesburg 2SE, KY | 23 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 4 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 24243
When is the last frost in 24243?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 24243 is April 22. For a more cautious planting date, use May 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 24243?
The average first fall freeze is October 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 8.
What hardiness zone is 24243?
ZIP 24243 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 24243 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
24265 Keokee 24277 Pennington Gap 40843 24282 St. Charles 24244 Stickleyville 40927 24219 Big Stone Gap 40855 Lynch
Other ZIP codes in Lee County
24221 24248 24263 24265 24277 24281 24282 All Lee County frost dates · Virginia frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.