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Frost dates and planting calendar for Virginia Beach, 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 29[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 12[3]
Growing season, median
230 days[4]

Virginia Beach, Virginia sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b at the city center[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 29[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 13, half of years Mar 29, 1 in 10 years after Apr 11Last frostmedian Mar 29First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 30, half of years Nov 12, 1 in 10 years before Nov 1First frostmedian Nov 12Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 1 to Mar 15Mar 1 to Mar 15Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 15 to Mar 29Mar 15 to Mar 29TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 29around Mar 29Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 12from Apr 12
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 Oceana Nas weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 13, in half of years after March 29, and in 1 of 10 years after April 11[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before November 1 in 1 of 10 years and before November 12 in half of years[3]. These are chances, not promises. Any year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 13 after March 29 after April 11
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 1 before November 12 before November 30
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 14, median first fall date November 25[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 210 days in 9 of 10 years, 230 days in half of years and 254 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: Oceana Nas (USW00013769), 2.6 miles from the city center, 23 feet, 20 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension sorts vegetables into groups by how much frost they can take, and its guide was written for Colorado[6]. Hardy crops like broccoli, peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as March 1 to March 15 here[6]. Semi-hardy crops like beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as March 15, up to the median last frost[9]. Tender crops like snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around March 29[10]. For very tender crops like tomatoes and peppers, the earliest start is April 12, and CSU says they typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last spring frost[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 29) is March 1 to March 15[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 29) is March 15, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 29[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 29), is April 12[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Mar 1 May 5 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Mar 1 May 25 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Apr 20
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Apr 30
Onions (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Jun 19
Peas (hardy)[12] Mar 1 May 5
Radishes (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Mar 31
Spinach (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Apr 10
Turnips (hardy)[12] Mar 1 Apr 20
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 May 14
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 May 24
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 May 24
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 Jul 18
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 15 May 14
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 29 May 28
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 29 May 28
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 29 May 23
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 29 May 18
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jul 6
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jun 11 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jun 21 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jun 16 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jul 21
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Apr 12 Jul 6
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

The USDA zone is based on the average coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. Zone 8b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 15°F to 20°F[1]. The city spans more than one zone[15]. By land area, 93% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b and 7% in areas rated zone 8a[15].

Zone 8b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 15°F to 20°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 16.1°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8b 93%, zone 8a 7%[15].

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

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
23457[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23456[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23454[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23451[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23464[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
23455[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23452[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23462[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23453[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23460[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23459[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
23461[15] 8b 15 to 20°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Virginia Beach, Virginia?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Virginia Beach in zone 8b[1]. About 7% of the city's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a[15].
When is the last frost in Virginia Beach?
The median last spring frost date is March 29[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 11[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Virginia Beach?
CSU groups tomatoes as very tender, typically planted 2 or more weeks after the average last spring frost[11]. Taking the median last frost (March 29) as the average, the GardenFacts calculation puts the earliest start here at April 12[11].
When is the first frost in Virginia Beach?
The median first fall frost date is November 12[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 1[3].
How long is the growing season in Virginia Beach?
In half of years the growing season is at least 230 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it is at least 210 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Virginia Beach, 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 16.1°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 13, in half of years after March 29, and in 1 of 10 years after April 11 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 29. 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 1, in half of years before November 12, and in 9 of 10 years before November 30 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 12. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 210 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 230 days in half of years, and at least 254 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Oceana Nas weather station (USW00013769), 2.6 miles from the center of Virginia Beach at 23 feet, using 20 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 14 and the median first fall date is November 25. 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. Virginia Beach, Virginia overlaps 12 ZIP code areas. By land area, 93% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b, 7% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a. 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.