Frost Dates for Newport News, VA 23608
Last spring frost April 1 · First fall frost October 29 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 23608 has about 43,600 people, the largest of 7 ZIP codes in Newport News.
Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 10–April 24 (45 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 13 (30 days).
Frost probability for 23608
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 24 | April 1 | March 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 29 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MATHEWS 4 SE (37.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Newport News, VA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23608 | April 1 | October 29 | 8a |
| 23602 | April 1 | October 29 | 8a |
| 23606 | March 26 | November 20 | 8a |
| 23601 | March 26 | November 20 | 8b |
| 23607 | March 26 | November 20 | 8b |
| 23605 | March 26 | November 20 | 8b |
| 23603 | April 1 | October 29 | 8a |
Which crops fit a 211-day season in Newport News
In Newport News (211 frost-free days, a 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 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 11. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 4–Apr 15 | 274 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 4. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 246 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 4–Mar 25 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 4. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 4. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 316 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 25–Apr 22 | 267 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 8. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 15. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 25. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 4. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 15. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 4–Mar 25 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 8. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 211 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 8. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Sage | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 7 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 15. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 8. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 15. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 1. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 8. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Newport News
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 7), Lavender (Jan 7), Onion (Jan 7), Rosemary (Jan 7), Celery (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), Sage (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 4), Beets (Feb 4), Dill (Feb 4), Peas (Feb 4), Radish (Feb 4), Spinach (Feb 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 4), Corn (Mar 4), Cosmos (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Okra (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 4), Turnip (Mar 4), Carrots (Mar 11), Potatoes (Mar 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 1), Beans (Apr 8), Pole Beans (Apr 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 1), Lavender (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Mint (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +23 more. Last frost around April 1. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Newport News, VA (ZIP 23608)?
The median last spring frost date for Newport News, VA (ZIP code 23608) is around April 1. 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 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Newport News, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Newport News, VA is around October 29. 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 October 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Newport News, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Newport News is about 211 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 Newport News (211 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Newport News, VA?
Newport News, 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 Newport News, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 25 and plant out Apr 15 in Newport News. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Newport News?
Two: plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Newport News?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Newport News?
Yes: plant out Apr 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Newport News (ZIP 23606) has 239 frost-free days, 28 more than Newport News (ZIP 23608). See Newport News ZIP 23606 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Newport News, VA: month-by-month guide
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