Williamsburg, VA planting zone & frost dates
Williamsburg is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 31 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 225 days.
Planting calendar for Williamsburg
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 31) 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: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
Useful for zone 8a 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 | Mar 15 | Mar 31 | Apr 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 26 | Nov 10 | Oct 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Williamsburg
- 23185 zone 8a
- 23187 zone 8a
- 23188 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Poquoson zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Newport News zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
- Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- East Hampton zone 8b, last frost Mar 24
- Suffolk zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Portsmouth Heights zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- South Suffolk zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Hopewell zone 7b, last frost Mar 31
Questions
What growing zone is Williamsburg, VA?
Williamsburg is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Williamsburg?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Williamsburg is March 31. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in Williamsburg?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 7 – Apr 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Williamsburg 2 N, VA (USC00449151), 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 21 m, based on 29 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.