Frost dates for 23432Suffolk, VA
The average last spring frost in Suffolk is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 23 · Apr 6 · Apr 20 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 27 · Apr 9 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 15 · Mar 30 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 22 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Suffolk
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 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23432 is matched to the NOAA station Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA, 15.7 km away, at 22 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA (used) | 22 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 15 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Holland 1 E, VA | 80 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Norfolk S, VA | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Suffolk
- Suffolk, VA 23436 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Carrollton, VA 23314 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Isle Of Wight, VA 23397 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Smithfield, VA 23431 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Chesapeake, VA 23321 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Rescue, VA 23424 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Battery Park, VA 23304 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Portsmouth, VA 23703 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Suffolk, VA?
- For ZIP code 23432, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Suffolk, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23432?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.