Frost dates for 23662Poquoson, VA
The average last spring frost in Poquoson is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 4 · Apr 18 | Oct 25 · Nov 5 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 24 · Apr 6 | Nov 3 · Nov 15 · Dec 2 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 10 · Mar 28 | Nov 10 · Nov 28 · Dec 20 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Poquoson
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 23662 is matched to the NOAA station Langley Afb, VA, 6 km away, at 10 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langley Afb, VA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 15 |
| Newport News Intl Ap, VA | 42 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
| Norfolk Nas, VA | 17 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Norfolk Intl Ap, VA | 30 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Poquoson
- Hampton, VA 23665 · last Mar 24, first Nov 15
- Yorktown, VA 23693 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Seaford, VA 23696 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Newport News, VA 23601 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Fort Monroe, VA 23651 · last Mar 16, first Nov 26
- Bena, VA 23018 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Maryus, VA 23107 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Gloucester Point, VA 23062 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Poquoson, VA?
- For ZIP code 23662, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Langley Afb, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Poquoson, VA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 23662?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.