Frost dates for 23709 — Portsmouth, VA
Last spring frostMar 16median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season255 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Portsmouth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Portsmouth falls between February 26 and April 1, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and December 17.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the Virginia median of Apr 13.
- Its 255-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 33 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Norfolk, VA, 9 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 17 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 17 |
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 23709 — Portsmouth, VA — last frost Mar 16, first frost Nov 26, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
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 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 16 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Basil | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 23 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 17 |
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 Nas, VA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 16 ft (5 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
- Hampton Mar 24 · Nov 15
- Rescue Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Suffolk Mar 27 · Nov 15
- Battery Park 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 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 1, 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 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Portsmouth, VA?
About 255 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.