Frost dates for 23509Norfolk, VA
The average last spring frost in Norfolk is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 18 | Oct 27 · Nov 6 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 23 · Apr 6 | Nov 4 · Nov 16 · Dec 1 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 10 · Mar 26 | Nov 14 · Dec 1 · Dec 25 | 269 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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23509 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk S, VA, 2.9 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk S, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Oceana Nas, VA | 23 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Norfolk
- Norfolk, VA 23513 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Portsmouth, VA 23708 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Chesapeake, VA 23325 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Virginia Beach, VA 23465 · 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 23509, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk S, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Norfolk, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23509?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.