Frost dates for 23454Virginia Beach, VA
The average last spring frost in Virginia Beach is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 28 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 22 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 29 · Apr 11 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Nov 30 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 9 · Nov 25 · Dec 17 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Virginia Beach
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23454 is matched to the NOAA station Oceana Nas, VA, 1.5 km away, at 23 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceana Nas, VA (used) | 23 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 12 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Fentress Naas, VA | 16 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 18 |
| Norfolk S, VA | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach, VA 23460 · last Mar 29, first Nov 12
- Norfolk, VA 23502 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Chesapeake, VA 23325 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Portsmouth, VA 23708 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Fort Monroe, VA 23651 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Knotts Island, NC 27950 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Hampton, VA 23667 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Moyock, NC 27958 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Virginia Beach, VA?
- For ZIP code 23454, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oceana Nas, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Virginia Beach, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23454?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.