Norfolk International Airport, VA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
251 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 27 Mar 17 Mar 31
First fall frost Dec 10 Nov 23 Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 4 · first Dec 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NORFOLK INTL AP 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 International Airport

Computed from Norfolk International Airport'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 20 – Feb 3 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🫑 Peppers Jan 6 – Jan 20 Mar 31 – Apr 7
🥬 Lettuce Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3 Feb 17 – Mar 17
🫛 Peas Feb 3 – Feb 17
🥕 Carrots Feb 24 – Mar 17
🥦 Broccoli Jan 27 – Feb 10 Feb 24 – Mar 10
🥬 Kale Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3 Feb 17 – Mar 3
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 17 – Feb 24 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🥒 Zucchini Feb 17 – Feb 24 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 24 – Mar 31
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 24 – Mar 31
🌿 Basil Feb 3 – Feb 17 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 31 – Apr 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 12 – Nov 9

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 International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Norfolk International Airport

With roughly 251 frost-free days, Norfolk International Airport 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 23 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Norfolk International Airport, VA?

The average last spring frost in Norfolk International Airport is around Mar 17, 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 International Airport, VA?

The average first fall frost in Norfolk International Airport arrives around Nov 23. 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 International Airport?

About 251 frost-free days on average, from Mar 17 to Nov 23. 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 International Airport 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.