Frost Dates for Portsmouth, VA
In Portsmouth, VA, the average last spring frost is around Mar 23 and the average first fall frost around Nov 16, for a growing season of about 239 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 6, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Norfolk S, VA weather station, 7 miles away, elevation 10 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 6 | Nov 4 |
| 20% | Apr 2 | Nov 7 |
| 30% | Mar 30 | Nov 11 |
| 40% | Mar 27 | Nov 14 |
| 50% | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| 60% | Mar 21 | Nov 20 |
| 70% | Mar 17 | Nov 22 |
| 80% | Mar 14 | Nov 26 |
| 90% | Mar 7 | Dec 1 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 5 | Nov 6 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
Planting calendar for Portsmouth
Transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sow or transplant Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sow or transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Sow or transplant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 21 – Oct 19
Fall sowing Sep 21 – Oct 12
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Sep 21
Sow or transplant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Oct 5
Transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Transplant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Fall sowing Oct 5 – Oct 26
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Sep 21
Plant Feb 23 – Mar 9
Based on the average last frost (Mar 23) and first frost (Nov 16). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.