When is the last frost in Virginia Beach, VA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Virginia Beach is March 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until March 31.

When is the first frost in Virginia Beach?

The average first fall frost in Virginia Beach is November 23, with a growing season of about 252 days.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia frost dates

Average last spring frost: March 17. Average first fall frost: November 23. That gives a growing season of about 252 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is March 31, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Mar 17

1-in-10 risk after Mar 31

First frost (50%)

Nov 23

1-in-10 risk before Nov 8

Growing season

252 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 4

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	February 27	December 10
70%	March 10	November 30
50%	March 17	November 23
30%	March 23	November 17
10%	March 31	November 8

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after March 31. These are NOAA probabilities for the Norfolk International Airport weather station (USW00013737, elevation 9 m), 1991–2020.

Virginia Beach vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (March 17). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Mar 31) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Feb 24	Mar 24 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 6	Feb 17
Brussels sprouts	Jan 6	Feb 17
Cabbage	Dec 30	Feb 10
Cauliflower	Jan 20	Mar 3
Sweet corn	Feb 17	Mar 17 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 3	Mar 24
Kale	Dec 30	Feb 10
Leeks	Dec 2	Feb 10
Lettuce	Jan 27	Mar 3
Melons	Mar 10	Mar 31
Onions	Nov 25	Feb 3 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Jan 20	Feb 17 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 3	Mar 31
Squash	Mar 10	Mar 31
Tomatoes	Jan 20	Mar 17

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 23. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before November 8. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around December 8.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Richmond, VA	Apr 3	Nov 4	~120 km
Washington, DC	Mar 24	Nov 18	~228 km
Baltimore, MD	Apr 10	Oct 31	~255 km
Raleigh, NC	Mar 31	Nov 4	~256 km
Wilmington, NC	Mar 19	Nov 20	~329 km
Roanoke, VA	Apr 3	Nov 1	~339 km

More: all Virginia frost dates