Frost dates for 23609Newport News, VA
The average last spring frost in Newport News is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 225 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 225 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 12 · May 1 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 26 | 225 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 4 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 13 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Newport News
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23609 is matched to the NOAA station Williamsburg 2 N, VA, 19.7 km away, at 70 ft elevation (44 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg 2 N, VA (used) | 70 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
| Newport News Intl Ap, VA | 42 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
| Langley Afb, VA | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 15 |
| N, VA | 4 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Newport News
- Newport News, VA 23612 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Yorktown, VA 23690 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Lackey, VA 23694 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Fort Eustis, VA 23604 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Gloucester Point, VA 23062 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Seaford, VA 23696 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Bena, VA 23018 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Wicomico, VA 23184 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Newport News, VA?
- For ZIP code 23609, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Williamsburg 2 N, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Newport News, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23609?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 225 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.