Frost dates for 23501Norfolk, VA
The average last spring frost in Norfolk is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 252 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 252 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 12 | Oct 31 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 17 · Mar 31 | Nov 8 · Nov 23 · Dec 10 | 252 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 4 · Mar 20 | Nov 19 · Dec 8 · Jan 2 | 281 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Norfolk
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23501 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk Intl Ap, VA, 1.7 km away, at 30 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA (used) | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Norfolk S, VA | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Oceana Nas, VA | 23 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Norfolk
- Norfolk, VA 23518 · last Mar 17, first Nov 23
- Virginia Beach, VA 23455 · last Mar 17, first Nov 23
- 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
- Hampton, VA 23667 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Newport News, VA 23607 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Suffolk, VA 23435 · last Mar 27, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Norfolk, VA?
- For ZIP code 23501, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk Intl Ap, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Norfolk, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23501?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 252 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.