Frost dates for 23324Chesapeake, VA
The average last spring frost in Chesapeake is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 18 | Oct 27 · Nov 6 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 23 · Apr 6 | Nov 4 · Nov 16 · Dec 1 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 10 · Mar 26 | Nov 14 · Dec 1 · Dec 25 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chesapeake
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23324 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk S, VA, 8 km away, at 10 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk S, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Fentress Naas, VA | 16 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Chesapeake
- Chesapeake, VA 23325 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Norfolk, VA 23523 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Portsmouth, VA 23708 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Virginia Beach, VA 23464 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Suffolk, VA 23435 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Fort Monroe, VA 23651 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Newport News, VA 23607 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Hampton, VA 23667 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chesapeake, VA?
- For ZIP code 23324, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk S, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Chesapeake, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23324?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.