When Is the Last Frost in Virginia?
The average last spring frost in Virginia falls between March 30 and April 26 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 11. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Mar 29 | Apr 11 | Nov 12 | 230 days |
| Chesapeake | Mar 23 | Apr 7 | Nov 18 | 240 days |
| Richmond | Apr 3 | Apr 18 | Nov 4 | 215 days |
| Norfolk | Mar 17 | Mar 31 | Nov 23 | 252 days |
| Newport News | Apr 1 | Apr 18 | Nov 9 | 221 days |
| Alexandria | Mar 24 | Apr 6 | Nov 18 | 241 days |
| Hampton | Mar 24 | Apr 6 | Nov 15 | 238 days |
| Suffolk | Mar 27 | Apr 9 | Nov 15 | 233 days |
| Roanoke | Apr 3 | Apr 18 | Nov 1 | 210 days |
| Portsmouth | Mar 23 | Apr 6 | Nov 16 | 239 days |
| Lynchburg | Apr 17 | May 4 | Oct 25 | 190 days |
| Harrisonburg | Apr 21 | May 7 | Oct 23 | 182 days |
| Leesburg | Apr 16 | May 7 | Oct 25 | 189 days |
| Blacksburg | Apr 24 | May 14 | Oct 19 | 175 days |
| Charlottesville | Apr 2 | Apr 14 | Nov 10 | 222 days |
| Manassas | Apr 12 | Apr 24 | Oct 27 | 197 days |
| Danville | Apr 8 | Apr 30 | Nov 1 | 205 days |
| Petersburg | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | Nov 3 | 216 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 125 Virginia weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from March 16 at Norfolk Nas, VA to May 12 at Mill Gap, VA. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Virginia?
The average first fall frost in Virginia arrives between October 18 and November 11 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 29. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Virginia Beach has a 10% chance of frost before November 1, Chesapeake has a 10% chance of frost before November 4 and Richmond has a 10% chance of frost before October 23. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Virginia?
Transplant tomatoes in Virginia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 5 – Apr 12 in Virginia Beach, Mar 30 – Apr 6 in Chesapeake and Apr 10 – Apr 17 in Richmond. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | after Apr 11 |
| Chesapeake | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 7 |
| Richmond | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | after Apr 18 |
| Norfolk | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | after Mar 31 |
| Newport News | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 18 |
| Alexandria | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | after Apr 6 |
| Hampton | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | after Apr 6 |
| Suffolk | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | after Apr 9 |
| Roanoke | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | after Apr 18 |
| Portsmouth | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 6 |
| Lynchburg | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 4 |
| Harrisonburg | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 7 |
| Leesburg | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 7 |
| Blacksburg | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 14 |
| Charlottesville | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | after Apr 14 |
| Manassas | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after Apr 24 |
| Danville | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | after Apr 30 |
| Petersburg | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | after Apr 17 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Virginia Beach and When?
Virginia Beach's average last frost of March 29 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 15, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 1, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 5.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Feb 22 – Mar 8direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 1 – Mar 15direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8 – Mar 15direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 12transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 19transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 19transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Virginia Beach (last frost Mar 29, NOAA station Oceana Nas, VA, 3 miles from ZIP 23453). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Virginia?
The frost-free growing season in Virginia lasts about 174 to 226 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 200 days. Among the listed cities, Blacksburg has the shortest season at 175 days and Norfolk the longest at 252.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Virginia range from 143 days at Mill Gap, VA to 255 days at Norfolk Nas, VA. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Virginia?
Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones 6a to 8b, with zone 7b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Virginia planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Virginia?
- The average last spring frost in Virginia falls between March 30 and April 26 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 11. Among major cities it ranges from March 17 in Norfolk to April 24 in Blacksburg.
- When is the last frost in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
- Virginia Beach's average last spring frost is March 29, and by April 11 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 12, giving a 230-day growing season (NOAA station Oceana Nas, VA).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Virginia?
- Transplant tomatoes in Virginia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 5 – Apr 12 in Virginia Beach, Mar 30 – Apr 6 in Chesapeake and Apr 10 – Apr 17 in Richmond. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Virginia?
- The average first fall frost in Virginia arrives between October 18 and November 11 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 29. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Virginia?
- The frost-free growing season in Virginia lasts about 174 to 226 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 200 days, from 175 days in Blacksburg to 252 days in Norfolk.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.