When to Plant in Virginia: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Virginia runs from Atlantic Coastal Plain through the Piedmont to the Blue Ridge and Appalachian highlands. Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting, and fall planting around your local frost dates. Virginia falls in USDA zones 5b–8a; median last spring frost (NOAA 1991–2020) runs from Mar 17 – May 9, and first fall frost from Oct 6 – Nov 23.
About these dates: Timings are counted from your average last spring frost date, which is only an average — a frost can still occur after it. Dates vary within a state by elevation, distance from water, and microclimate. Look up the frost date for your ZIP code (your state Cooperative Extension office or NOAA climate normals are good sources) and adjust for the current season’s weather and soil temperature.
Virginia frost dates by region
| Region | NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) | USDA zone (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest mountains | Blacksburg Nwso, Wytheville, Abingdon 3S, Burkes Garden | Apr 21 – May 9 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 | 5b–6b |
| Shenandoah Valley | Winchester, Staunton Wtp, Dale Enterprise | Apr 11 – Apr 21 | Oct 23 – Oct 29 | 6b–7a |
| Northern Virginia | Washington Dc Dulles Airport, Washington Reagan Airport, Manassas | Mar 24 – Apr 15 | Oct 24 – Nov 18 | 7a–7b |
| Piedmont (Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg) | Richmond Intl Airport, Charlottesville Airport, Lynchburg Rgnl Airport, Roanoke Rgnl Airport | Apr 3 – Apr 15 | Oct 24 – Nov 4 | 7a–7b |
| Tidewater / Hampton Roads | Norfolk Intl Airport, Newport News Intl Airport, Williamsburg 2 N | Mar 17 – Apr 1 | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | 8a |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
Look up more towns on our Virginia frost dates table, or enter your ZIP in the planting planner.
Virginia vegetable planting calendar
Find your local last-frost date, then count forward or back using the table below.
| Crop | When to plant (relative to last frost) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable |
| Spinach | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | Also sow 6–8 weeks before first fall frost |
| Lettuce | Direct sow or transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too |
| Radishes | Direct sow 2–5 weeks before last frost | Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again in late summer |
| Kale | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Sow again 8–10 weeks before fall frost; frost sweetens leaves |
| Onions (sets/transplants) | Plant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Choose day-length type suited to your latitude |
| Potatoes | Plant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Soil about 45°F+; hill as plants grow |
| Broccoli | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop |
| Cabbage | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop |
| Tomatoes | Start indoors 6–8 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frost | Wait for nights reliably above 50°F |
| Peppers | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost | Need warm soil (65°F+) |
| Eggplant | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost | Need warm soil (65°F+) |
| Beans (bush & pole) | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Seeds rot in cold, wet soil |
| Sweet corn | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Soil 60°F+; plant in blocks for pollination |
| Cucumbers | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles |
| Squash | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer |
| Pumpkins | Direct sow 1–3 weeks after last frost (count back ~90–120 days from target harvest) | For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June |
| Basil | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frost | Very cold-sensitive |
| Marigolds | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frost | Easy warm-season annual |
| Zinnias | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frost | Easy warm-season annual |
| Tulips | Plant in fall when soil cools below ~60°F | Typically around first fall frost, before ground freezes |
| Daffodils | Plant in fall when soil cools below ~60°F | Slightly earlier than tulips is fine |
| Garlic | Plant cloves in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes | Harvest the following early summer |
Tips for Virginia gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out.
- Plan a fall garden: count back from your first fall frost to sow lettuce, spinach, kale, and radishes in late summer.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Virginia?
Median last spring frost (32°F) in Virginia ranges from late March (Tidewater) to mid-May (mountains) across NOAA stations, depending on location. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
What USDA zone is Virginia?
Virginia spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5b–8a on the 2023 USDA map. Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
When can I plant tomatoes in Virginia?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors about 1–2 weeks after your local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50°F. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Other Mid-Atlantic planting calendars
Delaware · Maryland · Pennsylvania · New Jersey · All states