When is the last frost in Norfolk, VA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Norfolk is around March 23, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Norfolk S, VA station (1.5 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Norfolk?

The average first fall frost in Norfolk, VA is around November 16, giving roughly a 239-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Norfolk?

In Norfolk, VA the warmest month is July (avg high 89.4°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 33.6°F). It averages about 49.2″ of precipitation a year and 6.2″ of snow.

Home › Virginia › Norfolk

Norfolk, VA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 23502 · elevation 9′ · NOAA & USDA data

Norfolk is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 239 days between the average last spring frost (March 23) and first fall frost (November 16). The warmest month is July (avg high 89.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 33.6°F). It averages 49.2″ of precipitation a year and 6.2″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 16

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

239 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 89.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Norfolk

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Norfolk Intl Ap, VA (3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	50.7	33.6	42.2	3.4	3.2
February	53.4	35.1	44.2	2.9	1.5
March	60.1	41.3	50.7	3.7	0.4
April	70	50.1	60.1	3.4	0
May	77.4	59.1	68.3	3.8	0
June	85.2	68.1	76.7	4.4	0
July	89.4	72.8	81.1	6.1	0
August	86.9	71.6	79.2	5.9	0
September	81.4	66.6	74	5.4	0
October	72.3	55.1	63.7	3.9	0
November	62.1	44.4	53.3	3.1	0
December	54.7	37.6	46.1	3.3	1.1

What to plant when in Norfolk

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 9 · Transplant out: March 30
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 26 · Transplant out: April 6
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 30
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 30
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 30
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 30
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 30
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 16 · Sow (fall): September 21
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 9 · Sow (fall): September 21
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 23 · Sow (fall): September 21
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 2 · Sow (fall): September 7
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 9
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 2 · Sow (fall): September 7
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 23
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 9
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 23 · Sow (fall): October 5

Dates are computed from Norfolk's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Virginia

Chesapeake, VA Portsmouth, VA Virginia Beach, VA Hampton, VA Suffolk, VA Newport News, VA Richmond, VA Alexandria, VA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Norfolk S, VA, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Norfolk Intl Ap, VA, 3 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.