Frost dates for 23707 — Portsmouth, VA
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Portsmouth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Portsmouth falls between March 7 and April 6, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 21 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 238-day growing season is among the longest of the 837 Virginia places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 51 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Portsmouth shares its weather station with Norfolk, VA, 10 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 7 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA
Frost dates for 23707 — Portsmouth, VA — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 16, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Portsmouth, VA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
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 S, VA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
ZIP codes in Portsmouth: 23701 23702 23703 23704 23705 23707 23708 23709
Frost dates near Portsmouth
- Norfolk Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Chesapeake Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Fort Monroe Mar 16 · Nov 26
- Carrollton Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Suffolk Mar 27 · Nov 15
- Hampton Mar 24 · Nov 15
- Virginia Beach Mar 29 · Nov 12
- Rescue Apr 1 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Portsmouth, VA?
The median last spring frost in Portsmouth, VA is March 23. 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 Portsmouth, VA?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in Portsmouth, VA?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Portsmouth, VA?
Portsmouth, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.