Frost Dates for Portsmouth, VA 23708
Portsmouth has 7 ZIP codes. The Portsmouth, VA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 20 · 239 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 23708 has about 269 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Portsmouth.
Long season: 239 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 10–April 11 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans November 6–December 4 (28 days).
Frost probability for 23708
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 26 | March 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 6 | November 20 | December 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE (26.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 239-day season in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth (239 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 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 21 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 26 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Mar 5. | Sep 18 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 302 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 302 available after Jan 29. | Sep 9 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 26. | Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 26. | Sep 18 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 19 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 20 | 344 | overwinter: Plant Nov 20 to Dec 11; harvest the following summer. | Dec 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 295 | 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 | 211 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | Aug 2 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 253 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 19. | Aug 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 26. | Aug 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 31 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | Sep 4 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 239 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | Jul 16 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 29 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 11. | Sep 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 16 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 253 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 253 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 16 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 2. | Aug 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9. | Jul 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 26. | Aug 14 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Jul 26 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Jul 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
Month by month in Portsmouth
| 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 8), Pumpkin (Jul 8), Cantaloupe (Jul 16), Celery (Jul 16), Melons (Jul 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 18), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Corn (Aug 2), Sunflowers (Aug 14), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 19), Pole Beans (Aug 19), Basil (Aug 24), Cosmos (Aug 24), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 3), Parsley (Sep 4), Peas (Sep 9), Cabbage (Sep 18), Carrots (Sep 18), Beets (Sep 19), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 3), Kohlrabi (Oct 3), Turnip (Oct 8), Arugula (Oct 18), Spinach (Oct 18), Radish (Oct 19). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 20). First frost around November 20. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 11). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Portsmouth, VA (ZIP 23708)?
The median last spring frost date for Portsmouth, VA (ZIP code 23708) 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 Portsmouth, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Portsmouth, VA is around November 20. 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 Portsmouth, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Portsmouth is about 239 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 Portsmouth (239 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 Portsmouth, VA?
Portsmouth, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Portsmouth, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 19 and plant out Apr 9 in Portsmouth. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Portsmouth?
Two: plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 27.
When do I plant garlic in Portsmouth?
Nov 20 to Dec 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Portsmouth?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 21 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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