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Frost dates and planting calendar for Hampton, Virginia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8b[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 17[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 23[3]
Growing season, median
252 days[4]

Hampton, Virginia is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 17, which is the median[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Feb 27, half of years Mar 17, 1 in 10 years after Mar 31Last frostmedian Mar 17First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 10, half of years Nov 23, 1 in 10 years before Nov 8First frostmedian Nov 23Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 17 to Mar 3Feb 17 to Mar 3Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 17around Mar 17Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Mar 31from Mar 31
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Norfolk International Airport station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after February 27, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after March 31[2]. In the fall, the median first frost date is November 23, and in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 8[3]. These are odds from past years and not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later[5].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after February 27 after March 17 after March 31
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 8 before November 23 before December 10
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 4, median first fall date December 8[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 231 days in 9 of 10 years, 252 days in half of years and 275 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Norfolk International Airport (USW00013737), 11.6 miles from the city center, 30 feet, 30 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension's planting guide was written for Colorado, so these dates are a simple starting point for Hampton[6]. Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce and peas can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost, which works out to February 17 to March 3[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost, March 3, up to the median date itself[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be started from seed around March 17[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically go in 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so the earliest start is March 31[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 17) is February 17 to March 3[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 17) is March 3, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 17[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 17), is March 31[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Apr 23 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Feb 17 May 13 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Apr 8
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Apr 18
Onions (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Jun 7
Peas (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Apr 23
Radishes (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Mar 19
Spinach (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Mar 29
Turnips (hardy)[12] Feb 17 Apr 8
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 May 2
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 May 12
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 May 12
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 Jul 6
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 3 May 2
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 17 May 16
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 17 May 16
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 17 May 11
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 17 May 6
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Mar 31 Jun 24
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Mar 31 May 30 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Mar 31 Jun 9 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Mar 31 Jun 4 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Mar 31 Jul 9
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Mar 31 Jun 24
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 8b means the coldest night of the year averages 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is based on winter lows and not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. By land area, 100% of Hampton lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b[15].

Zone 8b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 15°F to 20°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 16.4°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 8b and what zone 8b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
23666[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23669[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23664[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23661[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23665[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23663[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23681[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23651[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23605[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23667[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23607[15] 8b 15 to 20°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Hampton, Virginia?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Hampton in zone 8b[1]. All of the city's land area is in ZIP code areas rated 8b[15].
When is the last frost in Hampton?
The median last spring frost is March 17, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after March 31[2].
When is the first frost in Hampton?
The median first fall frost is November 23[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 8[3].
When to plant tomatoes in Hampton?
CSU Extension says very tender vegetables like tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. Using the median last frost, the earliest start is March 31[11].
How long is the growing season in Hampton?
The growing season is at least 252 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 231 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Hampton, Virginia in zone 8b. Zone 8b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 16.4°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after February 27, in half of years after March 17, and in 1 of 10 years after March 31 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 17. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 8, in half of years before November 23, and in 9 of 10 years before December 10 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 23. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 231 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 252 days in half of years, and at least 275 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Norfolk International Airport weather station (USW00013737), 11.6 miles from the center of Hampton at 30 feet, using 30 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 4 and the median first fall date is December 8. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Hampton, Virginia overlaps 11 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.