Virginia Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Virginia gardeners.

Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a

The Short Answer

Virginia spans USDA zones 5b through 8a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Mountain Virginia has an average last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Tidewater/Coastal sees its last frost around Mar 20 - Apr 5. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Virginia Frost Dates by Region

Moderate four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Diverse growing conditions from mountains to coast.

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Mountain Virginia 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Piedmont/Central Virginia 7a, 7b Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 1
Tidewater/Coastal 7b, 8a Mar 20 - Apr 5 Oct 25 - Nov 10

Soil & Growing Conditions

Red clay in Piedmont. Sandy on coast. Rocky in mountains. Slightly acidic throughout. Good for most vegetables with amendment.

What to Plant in Virginia

Virginia's long season gives you two planting windows and room for crops that colder states can't grow. The key is timing around your summer heat peak:

Heat Lovers (Virginia's Advantage)

OkraSweet PotatoesWatermelonEggplantPeppers

Spring & Fall Crops

TomatoesCucumbersBeans (Green/Snap)Squash (Summer)Corn (Sweet)BasilGarlicLettuceBroccoliCarrotsKalePeas

Flowers & Perennials

SunflowersZinniasLavenderMarigoldsDaylilies

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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