In Richmond, the average last spring frost is Apr 7 and the average first fall frost is Nov 1, a growing season of about 208 days (zone 7b). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 24 and move them outside from Apr 21. Plant garlic Nov 8 to Nov 15, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Richmond at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Apr 7 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 1 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 208 days
- Hardiness zone
- 7b (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Sandston, VA; Richmond Intl AP, VA; and Ashland, VA, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Richmond this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 27
What to plant in Richmond this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 24
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 24
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 24
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 24
Coming up in early March: start kale indoors (Mar 3), start broccoli indoors (Mar 3), start cabbage indoors (Mar 3) and start basil indoors (Mar 10).
What to plant in Richmond this month (March)
- Start kale indoors: Mar 3
- Start broccoli indoors: Mar 3
- Start cabbage indoors: Mar 3
- Start basil indoors: Mar 10
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 17
- Direct sow peas: Mar 17
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 17
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 24
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 24
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 24
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 24
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 24
- Direct sow beets: Mar 31
- Transplant kale: Mar 31
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 31
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 31
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 31
Coming up in early April: transplant onions (Apr 7), transplant cucumbers (Apr 14), transplant zucchini (Apr 14), transplant winter squash (Apr 14) and direct sow beans (Apr 14).
What to plant in Richmond this month (April)
- Transplant onions: Apr 7
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 14
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 14
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 14
- Direct sow beans: Apr 14
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 21
- Transplant peppers: Apr 21
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 21
- Transplant basil: Apr 21
What to plant in Richmond this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Richmond in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Richmond this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Richmond in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Richmond this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Richmond in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 23.
What to plant in Richmond this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 23
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 23
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 6) and sow spinach for a fall harvest (Sep 13).
What to plant in Richmond this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 6
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 13
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Sep 27
What to plant in Richmond this month (October)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Richmond in October. Next up: plant garlic on Nov 8.
What to plant in Richmond this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 8 to Nov 15
What to plant in Richmond this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Richmond in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 27.
Richmond planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 | Transplant Apr 21 | From Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Feb 24 | Transplant Apr 21 | From Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Transplant Apr 21 | From Jul 5 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | Transplant Apr 21 | From Jun 2 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 27 | Transplant Apr 7 | From Jul 16 |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 | Transplant Mar 24Fall: direct sow Sep 6 | From May 3Fall: from Oct 16 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 17Fall: direct sow Sep 13 | From Apr 26Fall: from Oct 23 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 17Fall: direct sow Aug 23 | From May 16Fall: from Oct 22 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 17Fall: direct sow Sep 27 | From Apr 11Fall: from Oct 22 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 24 | From Jun 2 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 31 | From May 25 |
| Kale | Mar 3 | Transplant Mar 31Fall: direct sow Aug 23 | From May 25Fall: from Oct 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Transplant Mar 31 | From Jun 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Transplant Mar 31 | From Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 | Transplant Apr 14 | From Jun 8 |
| Zucchini | Mar 24 | Transplant Apr 14 | From Jun 3 |
| Winter squash | Mar 24 | Transplant Apr 14 | From Jul 13 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 14 | From Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 31 | From Jun 19 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 8 to Nov 15 | Around Jun 30 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Richmond's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Richmond
Plant garlic Nov 8 to Nov 15. That is one to two weeks after Richmond's average first fall frost of Nov 1, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 30 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Richmond:
- Peas: sow Aug 23, ready from about Oct 22
- Kale: sow Aug 23, ready from about Oct 17
- Lettuce: sow Sep 6, ready from about Oct 16
- Spinach: sow Sep 13, ready from about Oct 23
- Radishes: sow Sep 27, ready from about Oct 22
Nearby planting calendars
Richmond planting questions
When is the last frost in Richmond?
The average last spring frost in Richmond is Apr 7, and the average first fall frost is Nov 1, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Richmond?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 24, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 21, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Richmond in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 8 to Nov 15. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 23, lettuce around Sep 6, spinach around Sep 13 and radishes around Sep 27.