Norfolk S, VA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Norfolk S garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
238 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 7 Mar 23 Apr 6
First fall frost Dec 1 Nov 16 Nov 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 10 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NORFOLK S station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Norfolk S

Computed from Norfolk S's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 26 – Feb 9 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫑 Peppers Jan 12 – Jan 26 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥬 Lettuce Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 23
🫛 Peas Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥕 Carrots Mar 2 – Mar 23
🥦 Broccoli Feb 2 – Feb 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥬 Kale Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🥒 Zucchini Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌿 Basil Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 5 – Nov 2

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Norfolk S's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Norfolk S

With roughly 238 frost-free days, Norfolk S gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 16 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Norfolk S, VA?

The average last spring frost in Norfolk S is around Mar 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Norfolk S, VA?

The average first fall frost in Norfolk S arrives around Nov 16. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Norfolk S?

About 238 frost-free days on average, from Mar 23 to Nov 16. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Norfolk S in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.