Frost dates for 23466Virginia 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 23466 is matched to the NOAA station Oceana Nas, VA, 3 km away, at 23 ft elevation (7 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 |
| Fentress Naas, VA | 16 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 18 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Norfolk S, VA | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach, VA 23463 · last Mar 29, first Nov 12
- Norfolk, VA 23502 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Chesapeake, VA 23326 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Portsmouth, VA 23708 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Knotts Island, NC 27950 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Moyock, NC 27958 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Fort Monroe, VA 23651 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Hampton, VA 23667 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Virginia Beach, VA?
- For ZIP code 23466, 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 23466?
- 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.