Last frost date in Portsmouth, VA

Average last frost
March 23

Expect the last frost in Portsmouth around March 23. Frost after April 6 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 16, which leaves 239 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 6
Average first frost
Nov 16
Frost-free season
239 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 10
Next 7 nights in Portsmouth

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2350°
  3. SatOct 2455°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2756°
  7. WedOct 2858°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 23First frost Nov 16239 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND239 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Norfolk S, 7.1 miles from Portsmouth.

Planting calendar for Portsmouth

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Virginia.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 30–Apr 13
PumpkinsApr 6–Apr 20
SunflowersMar 23–Apr 13
CucumbersApr 6–Apr 13
CornMar 30–Apr 13
Sweet potatoesApr 13–Apr 27
WatermelonApr 6–Apr 20
Green beansMar 30–Apr 20
ZucchiniMar 30–Apr 13
OkraApr 13–Apr 27
PeppersApr 6–Apr 20
BasilMar 30–Apr 13
Butternut squashMar 30–Apr 13
CantaloupeApr 6–Apr 20
EggplantApr 6–Apr 20
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 23–Mar 9
OnionsFeb 9–Mar 2
CarrotsMar 2–Apr 6
LettuceMar 9–Mar 30
BroccoliFeb 23–Mar 9
BeetsFeb 23–Apr 6
PeasFeb 9–Feb 23
CabbageFeb 23–Mar 9
RadishesFeb 16–Mar 30
Brussels sproutsMar 9–Mar 23
SpinachFeb 9–Mar 2
CilantroMar 9–Mar 30
KaleFeb 23–Mar 9
Collard greensFeb 23–Mar 9
TurnipsFeb 23–Mar 9
DillMar 23–Apr 6
CeleryMar 30–Apr 6
CauliflowerMar 9–Mar 23
LeeksMar 9–Mar 23
Swiss chardMar 9–Apr 6
ParsleyMar 9–Mar 30
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 2–Dec 7
GarlicOct 26–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 19–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 23–Mar 9
AsparagusFeb 23–Mar 9

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 7Mar 23Apr 6Nov 4Nov 16Dec 1
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 19Mar 10Mar 26Nov 14Dec 1Dec 25

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Norfolk S (USC00446147) sits 7.1 miles from the center of Portsmouth at 10 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Portsmouth, VA?

The average last frost date in Portsmouth is March 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 6.

When is the first frost in Portsmouth?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 16. One year in ten it arrives before November 4.

How long is the growing season in Portsmouth?

About 239 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Portsmouth?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 30 to April 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Virginia

All 64 cities in Virginia