Machipongo, VA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season239 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Machipongo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Machipongo falls between March 11 and April 6, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 7 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 239-day growing season is among the longest of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 53 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Hampton, VA, 56 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Machipongo, VA
Machipongo, VA frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 20, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Machipongo, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Eastville, VA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Machipongo
- Birdsnest Mar 26 · Nov 20
- Eastville Mar 26 · Nov 20
- Franktown Mar 26 · Nov 20
- Marionville Mar 26 · Nov 20
- Nassawadox Apr 4 · Nov 7
- Oyster Mar 28 · Nov 17
- Jamesville Apr 4 · Nov 7
- Exmore Apr 4 · Nov 7
- Cheriton Mar 28 · Nov 17
- Cape Charles Mar 28 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Machipongo, VA?
The median last spring frost in Machipongo, VA is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Machipongo, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 7.
How long is the growing season in Machipongo, VA?
About 239 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Machipongo, VA?
Machipongo, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.