Perhaps a call to your local Agricultural Extension Agent would be of help. Steve in Baltimore County

Google "last frost date" and your town's name or "southwestern virginia" or your zip code and you should pull up something. It will be sometime in May.

Thank you both for your replies.. =)

Or check out the winter sowing forum for more ideas.

Also, you might check the 10-day forecast before you plant out. I find this very helpful when I am trying to decide whether to go ahead or wait another week or two. If nighttime temperatures are forecasted below 50, I'd wait. I might also wait if it were going to pour down rain for several days.

Let me rephrase that-- I didn't check the forecast and it's now pouring down rain and washing away my seeds and killing my seedlings. :-/ so, I heartily RECOMMEND that you be smarter than me and check the forecast. . . .

Happy planting :-)