Frost dates for 23541Norfolk, VA
The average last spring frost in Norfolk is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Nov 29 | 230 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 1 | Nov 8 · Nov 26 · Dec 17 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 2 · Mar 19 | Nov 21 · Dec 12 · Jan 5 | 286 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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23541 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk Nas, VA, 4.4 km away, at 17 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Nas, VA (used) | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| Norfolk S, VA | 10 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Langley Afb, VA | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Norfolk
- Norfolk, VA 23506 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Virginia Beach, VA 23455 · last Mar 17, first Nov 23
- Fort Monroe, VA 23651 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Portsmouth, VA 23708 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Hampton, VA 23667 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Chesapeake, VA 23325 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- 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 23541, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk Nas, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Norfolk, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. 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 23541?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.