Frost dates for 23439Suffolk, 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 23439 is matched to the NOAA station Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA, 6 km away, at 22 ft elevation (37 ft lower 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 |
| Holland 1 E, VA | 80 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA | 20 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 27 |
| Norfolk Rich, VA | 112 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Suffolk
- Suffolk, VA 23434 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
- Windsor, VA 23487 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Carrsville, VA 23315 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Zuni, VA 23898 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- 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
- Franklin, VA 23851 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Suffolk, VA?
- For ZIP code 23439, 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 23439?
- 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.