Frost Dates for Chesapeake, VA 23320
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 22 · 241 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 23320 has about 59,100 people, one of 6 ZIP codes in Chesapeake.
Very long season: 241 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 10–April 11 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans November 6–December 11 (35 days).
Frost probability for 23320
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 26 | March 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 6 | November 22 | December 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE (38.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 241-day season in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake (241 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9. | Jul 23 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9. | Jul 28 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 283 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 5. | Sep 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 304 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 304 available after Jan 29. | Sep 11 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 26. | Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 26. | Sep 20 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 22 | 346 | overwinter: Plant Nov 22 to Dec 13; harvest the following summer. | Dec 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 297 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Aug 4 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 9. | Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 255 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 19. | Sep 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 26. | Aug 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 9. | Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9. | Aug 2 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | Sep 6 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 241 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | Jul 18 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9. | Jul 18 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 255 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 255 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 255 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 255 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 255 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 255 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9. | Jul 18 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 220 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 2. | Aug 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 9. | Jul 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 26. | Aug 16 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 2. | Jul 28 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 2. | Jul 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
Month by month in Chesapeake
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 1), Lavender (Jan 1), Onion (Jan 1), Rosemary (Jan 1), Celery (Jan 15), Collards (Jan 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 29), Beets (Jan 29), Dill (Jan 29), Peas (Jan 29), Radish (Jan 29), Spinach (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 5), Calendula (Feb 12), Cauliflower (Feb 12), Marigolds (Feb 12), Pepper (Feb 12), Basil (Feb 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 12), Cilantro (Feb 26), Turnip (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 26), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 26), Cabbage (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), Kale (Feb 26), Lettuce (Feb 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 5), Butternut Squash (Mar 12), Cantaloupe (Mar 12), Melons (Mar 12), Pumpkin (Mar 12), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 5), Potatoes (Mar 12), Sunflowers (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), Bok Choy (Mar 19), Cauliflower (Mar 19), Cosmos (Mar 26), Lavender (Mar 26), +4 more. Last frost around March 26. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 2), Pole Beans (Apr 2). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 2), Chives (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Oregano (Apr 2), Parsley (Apr 2), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 10), Pumpkin (Jul 10), Cantaloupe (Jul 18), Celery (Jul 18), Melons (Jul 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 20), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 2), Corn (Aug 4), Sunflowers (Aug 16), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 21), Pole Beans (Aug 21), Basil (Aug 26), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Sep 1), Beans (Sep 2), Marigolds (Sep 5), Parsley (Sep 6), Peas (Sep 11), Cabbage (Sep 20), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Oct 1), Lettuce (Oct 1), Kale (Oct 5), Kohlrabi (Oct 5), Turnip (Oct 10), Arugula (Oct 20), +2 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 22). First frost around November 22. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 13). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Chesapeake, VA (ZIP 23320)?
The median last spring frost date for Chesapeake, VA (ZIP code 23320) is around March 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 10; one in ten it runs past April 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Chesapeake, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Chesapeake, VA is around November 22. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Chesapeake, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Chesapeake is about 241 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Chesapeake (241 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Chesapeake, VA?
Chesapeake, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Chesapeake, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 19 and plant out Apr 9 in Chesapeake. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Chesapeake?
Two: plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29.
When do I plant garlic in Chesapeake?
Nov 22 to Dec 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Chesapeake?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 23 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (3.8 mi)
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- Frost dates for Chesapeake, VA 23322 (9.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Portsmouth, VA 23707 (9.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Chesapeake, VA 23323 (9.4 mi)
- When to plant in Chesapeake, VA: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Cucumbers in VA
- When to plant Zucchini in VA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in VA
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