When to plant bitter melon in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 7a–8b, so the right time to plant bitter melon shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | April 12 – April 19 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | April 6 – April 13 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | March 30 – April 6 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | April 17 – April 24 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | April 15 – April 22 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | April 7 – April 14 |
Bitter Melon in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant bitter melon in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to transplant bitter melon spans roughly March 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the bitter melon planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 cities with their own frost dates, so the right bitter melon planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does bitter melon take to grow in Virginia?
Bitter Melon takes about 55–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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