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Frost dates and planting calendar for Suffolk, Virginia

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

USDA hardiness zone
8a[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 27[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 15[3]
Growing season, median
233 days[4]

The center of Suffolk, Virginia is in USDA hardiness zone 8a[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 27, the median date at the nearest NOAA station[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 10, half of years Mar 27, 1 in 10 years after Apr 9Last frostmedian Mar 27First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 1, half of years Nov 15, 1 in 10 years before Nov 2First frostmedian Nov 15Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 27 to Mar 13Feb 27 to Mar 13Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 13 to Mar 27Mar 13 to Mar 27TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 27around Mar 27Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 10from Apr 10
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 Suffolk Lake Kilby weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 10, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after April 9[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before November 2 in 1 of 10 years, and before November 15 in half of years[3]. These are odds, not promises. Any year can be earlier or later[2].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 10 after March 27 after April 9
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 2 before November 15 before December 1
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 15, median first fall date December 1[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 214 days in 9 of 10 years, 233 days in half of years and 255 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: Suffolk Lake Kilby (USC00448192), 2.9 miles from the city center, 22 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 simple arithmetic from Suffolk's median last frost of March 27[6]. Hardy vegetables such as lettuce, peas and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before that date, which is February 27 to March 13[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can go in as early as March 13[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be planted from seed around March 27[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so the earliest start is April 10[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 27) is February 27 to March 13[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 27) is March 13, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 27[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 27), is April 10[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Feb 27 May 3 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Feb 27 May 23 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Apr 18
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Apr 28
Onions (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Jun 17
Peas (hardy)[12] Feb 27 May 3
Radishes (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Mar 29
Spinach (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Apr 8
Turnips (hardy)[12] Feb 27 Apr 18
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 May 12
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 May 22
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 May 22
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 Jul 16
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 13 May 12
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 27 May 26
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 27 May 26
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 27 May 21
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 27 May 16
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jul 4
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jun 9 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jun 19 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jun 14 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jul 19
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Apr 10 Jul 4
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 8a means the coldest night of the winter averages 10°F to 15°F, based on 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is about winter lows, not summer heat or frost dates[14]. By land area, 99% of Suffolk lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a and 1% in zone 8b[15].

Zone 8a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 10°F to 15°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 11.6°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8a 99%, zone 8b 1%[15].

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

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
23434[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23437[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23438[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23435[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23432[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23433[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23436[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23321[15] 8a 10 to 15°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Suffolk, Virginia?
The center of Suffolk is in USDA zone 8a[1]. By land area, 99% of the city lies in zone 8a ZIP code areas and 1% in zone 8b[15].
When is the last frost in Suffolk?
In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 27, the median date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after April 9[2].
When is the first frost in Suffolk?
In half of years the first fall frost comes before November 15, the median date[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before November 2[3].
When to plant tomatoes in Suffolk?
CSU Extension, in a guide written for Colorado, says tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. For Suffolk that earliest start is April 10[11].
How long is the growing season in Suffolk?
The season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 233 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 214 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Suffolk, Virginia in zone 8a. Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 10°F to 15°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 11.6°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 March 10, in half of years after March 27, and in 1 of 10 years after April 9 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 27. 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 2, in half of years before November 15, and in 9 of 10 years before December 1 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 15. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 214 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 233 days in half of years, and at least 255 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Suffolk Lake Kilby weather station (USC00448192), 2.9 miles from the center of Suffolk at 22 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 15 and the median first fall date is December 1. 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. Suffolk, Virginia overlaps 8 ZIP code areas. By land area, 99% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a, 1% 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.