Frost dates for 23431 — Smithfield, VA
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season233 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Smithfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Smithfield falls between March 10 and April 9, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 17 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 233-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 198 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Smithfield shares its weather station with Suffolk, VA, 16 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 10 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Smithfield, VA
Frost dates for 23431 — Smithfield, VA — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 15, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Smithfield, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA weather station, 20 km away (elevation 23 ft (7 m)).
ZIP codes in Smithfield: 23430 23431
Frost dates near Smithfield
- Isle Of Wight Mar 27 · Nov 15
- Windsor Mar 27 · Nov 15
- Zuni Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Carrollton Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Battery Park Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Rescue Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Suffolk Mar 27 · Nov 15
- Ivor Apr 6 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Smithfield, VA?
The median last spring frost in Smithfield, VA is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Smithfield, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Smithfield, VA?
About 233 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Smithfield, VA?
Smithfield, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.