Frost dates for 23501 — Norfolk, VA
Last spring frostMar 17median date
First fall frostNov 23median date
Growing season251 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Norfolk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Norfolk falls between February 27 and March 31, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 251-day growing season is among the longest of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Virginia Beach, VA, 17 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 23 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | November 23 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
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 Norfolk, VA
Frost dates for 23501 — Norfolk, VA — last frost Mar 17, first frost Nov 23, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Plant for fall: Nov 9 to Dec 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Norfolk, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 17 – Mar 24 | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Okra | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Basil | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 9 – Dec 14 |
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 Norfolk Intl Ap, VA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
ZIP codes in Norfolk: 23501 23502 23503 23504 23505 23506 23507 23508 23509 23510 23511 23513 23514 23515 23517 23518 23519 23523 23529 23541 23551
Frost dates near Norfolk
- Portsmouth Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Fort Monroe Mar 16 · Nov 26
- Virginia Beach Mar 29 · Nov 12
- Chesapeake Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Hampton Mar 24 · Nov 15
- Poquoson Mar 24 · Nov 15
- Carrollton Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Rescue Apr 1 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Norfolk, VA?
The median last spring frost in Norfolk, VA is March 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Norfolk, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Norfolk, VA?
About 251 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Norfolk, VA?
Norfolk, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.