Frost Dates for Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 22 · 236 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 23457 has about 4,810 people, one of 12 ZIP codes in Virginia Beach.
Long season: 236 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 16 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans November 3–December 11 (38 days).
Frost probability for 23457
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 31 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 3 | November 22 | December 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BACK BAY WR (10.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 236-day season in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach (236 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 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | Jul 23 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | Jul 28 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 10. | Sep 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 299 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 3. | Sep 11 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 3. | Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 3. | Sep 20 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 22 | 341 | overwinter: Plant Nov 22 to Dec 13; harvest the following summer. | Dec 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 292 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 7. | Aug 4 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 24. | Sep 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 3. | Aug 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | Sep 6 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 236 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | Jul 18 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | Jul 18 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | Jul 18 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 215 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 7. | Aug 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 14. | Jul 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 31. | Aug 16 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 7. | Jul 28 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 7. | Jul 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
Month by month in Virginia Beach
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +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 Virginia Beach, VA (ZIP 23457)?
The median last spring frost date for Virginia Beach, VA (ZIP code 23457) is around March 31. 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 15; one in ten it runs past April 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median first fall frost date for Virginia Beach, 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Virginia Beach, VA?
The frost-free growing season in Virginia Beach is about 236 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 Virginia Beach (236 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Virginia Beach. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Virginia Beach?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29.
When do I plant garlic in Virginia Beach?
Nov 22 to Dec 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Virginia Beach?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 23 for a fall crop.
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- When to plant in Virginia Beach, VA: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Zucchini in VA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in VA
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