Zone 7b Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 7b, the typical last frost is April 5 and the typical first frost is November 1: the medians across its 3,220 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Typical first fall frost

Nov 1

range Oct 21 to Nov 14

Typical last spring frost

Apr 5

range Mar 28 to Apr 22

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 3,220 ZIP codes in zone 7b, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 25 days in spring.

A hardiness zone is a winter-cold rating: the average coldest night of the year. It doesn't predict when frost ends in spring. Two ZIP codes in zone 7b can be weeks apart on their last frost, so the dates here are a typical range, not your date.

Your exact frost dates

Find your dates by

US ZIP code

Enter a ZIP code or pick your hardiness zone to see your frost dates.

Zone 7b Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 7b, counted from the zone's typical Apr 5 last frost and Nov 1 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 7b

Feb 8–Feb 22 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Feb 22–Mar 8 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Mar 8–Mar 22 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Apr 12–Apr 19 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Apr 12–Apr 19 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Aug 9–Aug 23 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Nov 8–Nov 15 Plant garlic

Cloves go in 1 to 2 weeks after the first killing frost, for next summer.

Zone 7b Cities and Their Frost Dates

Same zone, different dates: each city's own station.

New York City, NY:last frost Mar 30, first Nov 20
Philadelphia, PA:last frost Apr 2, first Nov 10
Richmond, VA:last frost Apr 3, first Nov 4
Nashville, TN:last frost Mar 31, first Nov 3
Knoxville, TN:last frost Apr 1, first Nov 2
Albuquerque, NM:last frost Apr 6, first Nov 3
Tulsa, OK:last frost Mar 31, first Nov 4
Asheville, NC:last frost Apr 6, first Oct 31

Zone 7b Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 7b?

Typically around April 5, but it ranges from March 28 to April 22 across the zone's ZIP codes (10th to 90th percentile). Enter your ZIP code for your own station's date.

When is the first frost in zone 7b?

Typically around November 1, ranging October 21 to November 14 across zone 7b.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 7b?

Typically Apr 12 to Apr 19, a week or two after the zone's typical last frost. Your own last frost can be weeks either side of that.

Neighboring Zones

Zone 7b covers ZIP codes in Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.

A garden in a zone 7b climate — An illustration of a zone 7b garden.

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The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

When to start, when to plant, how far apart.