Virginia Beach, VA planting zone & frost dates
Virginia Beach is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 29 and the first fall frost around November 12, for a growing season of about 230 days.
Planting calendar for Virginia Beach
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 29) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 12).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 13 | Mar 29 | Apr 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 30 | Nov 12 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Virginia Beach
- 23450 zone 8b
- 23451 zone 8b
- 23452 zone 8b
- 23453 zone 8b
- 23454 zone 8b
- 23455 zone 8b
- 23456 zone 8b
- 23457 zone 8b
- 23458 zone 8b
- 23459 zone 8b
- 23460 zone 8b
- 23461 zone 8b
- 23462 zone 8b
- 23464 zone 8a
- 23465 zone 8a
- 23466 zone 8b
- 23467 zone 8a
- 23471 zone 8b
- 23479 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Chesapeake zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Norfolk zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Portsmouth zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Portsmouth Heights zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- East Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Poquoson zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Newport News zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
Questions
What growing zone is Virginia Beach, VA?
Virginia Beach is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Virginia Beach?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Virginia Beach is March 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Virginia Beach?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 5 – Apr 12. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Oceana Nas, VA (USW00013769), 6.4 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 7 m, based on 20 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.