When to Plant Sweet Corn in Virginia
In Virginia, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Norfolk to May 3 – May 17 in Radford. In Virginia Beach, it's Apr 5 – Apr 19. The average last spring frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Mar 16 in Norfolk, Apr 26 in Radford), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in Virginia by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 8a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Blacksburg | 7a | May 1 – May 15 |
| Bristol | 7a | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Charlottesville | 7b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Christiansburg | 7a | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Colonial Heights | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Culpeper | 7a | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Danville | 7b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Fairfax | 7b | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Falls Church | 7b | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Fredericksburg | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Front Royal | 7a | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Hampton | 8b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Harrisonburg | 7a | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Herndon | 7b | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Hopewell | 7b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Leesburg | 7b | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Lynchburg | 7b | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Manassas | 7a | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Manassas Park | 7a | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Martinsville | 7b | May 1 – May 15 |
| Newport News | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Norfolk | 8b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Petersburg | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Poquoson | 8b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Portsmouth | 8b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Radford | 7a | May 3 – May 17 |
| Richmond | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Roanoke | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Salem | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Smithfield | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Staunton | 7a | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Suffolk | 8a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Vienna | 7b | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Virginia Beach | 8b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Warrenton | 7a | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Waynesboro | 7a | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Williamsburg | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winchester | 7a | Apr 18 – May 2 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Virginia, or the general guide to when to plant sweet corn.
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