Newport News, VA planting zone & frost dates
Newport News is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 16 and the first fall frost around November 26, for a growing season of about 255 days.
Planting calendar for Newport News
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 16) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 26).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 26 | Mar 16 | Apr 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 17 | Nov 26 | Nov 8 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 8. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Newport News
- 23601 zone 8b
- 23602 zone 8a
- 23603 zone 8a
- 23605 zone 8b
- 23606 zone 8a
- 23607 zone 8b
- 23608 zone 8a
- 23609 zone 8a
- 23612 zone 8a
- 23628 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- East Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Poquoson zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Portsmouth Heights zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- Portsmouth zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Norfolk zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Chesapeake zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Suffolk zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
Questions
What growing zone is Newport News, VA?
Newport News is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Newport News?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Newport News is March 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in Newport News?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 23 – Mar 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Norfolk Nas, VA (USW00013750), 13.4 km (8.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 5 m, based on 24 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.