Frost dates for 23405Machipongo, VA
The average last spring frost in Machipongo is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 24 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Nov 1 · Nov 10 · Nov 23 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 26 · Apr 6 | Nov 7 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 15 · Mar 27 | Nov 17 · Dec 4 · Dec 24 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Machipongo
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23405 is matched to the NOAA station Eastville, VA, 6 km away, at 10 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastville, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 20 |
| Cape Charles 5 Ene, VA | 29 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 17 |
| Painter 2 W, VA | 30 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 7 |
| N, VA | 4 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Machipongo
- Birdsnest, VA 23307 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Eastville, VA 23347 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Franktown, VA 23354 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Marionville, VA 23408 · last Mar 26, first Nov 20
- Nassawadox, VA 23413 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Oyster, VA 23419 · last Mar 28, first Nov 17
- Jamesville, VA 23398 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
- Exmore, VA 23350 · last Apr 4, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Machipongo, VA?
- For ZIP code 23405, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eastville, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Machipongo, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23405?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.